Kreiter ‘confident’ of continued success

“My dream is to win a Paralympic medal.”

German sit-skier Georg Kreiter has spoken of his confidence in continuing his winning ways after securing his first world titles in 2015.

The 30-year-old has already secured a series of Europa Cup podium finishes this season, ahead of the first IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, from Friday (15 January).

His performances included a win in slalom with a new sit-ski, which Kreiter is currently trying to get a feel for.

“This season I changed my sit ski and I will be testing it a lot as the feeling is different,” he said. “However, I am confident to get back to the world’s top position.”

After taking up para-alpine skiing in 2006, Kreiter first competed at a World Championships in 2011 but never made the podium. That all changed in Panorama, Canada, when he stormed to gold in super combined and giant slalom.

“The 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships was a special event for me,” Kreiter, who was named Best Male Athlete with a Disability at the German Sport Awards in December, reflected. “Winning two gold medals was just amazing and more than I would have dreamed about before.

“Reflecting on my Panorama performance feels very good. I always liked the races in Panorama.”

When asked if one medal meant more than the other, Kreiter said: “The first gold in super combined was unexpected and a surprise. The second [giant slalom] was more important for me, because GS is my favourite discipline and I wanted to win. Maybe it was a little bit easier because I had already won the day before but this one was more emotional.”

During the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, Kreiter finished eighth overall in the downhill but did not finish in his other events.

With his performances steadily improving, he is hopeful that he can continue this at the next winter Paralympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, in 2018.

“Of course, I hope to compete at the 2018 Paralympic Games,” he said. “My dream is to win a Paralympic medal.”

The 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora will feature slalom and giant slalom between 15-16 January and will be closely followed by the second edition in Tarvisio, Italy, between 18-19 January.