PyeongChang 2018: Claudia Loesch wins silver and shares secret for success

Claudia Loesch works hard, is resilient and talented. But there is one thing about her not many people know that also helps her achieve success.

After winning her first alpine skiing medal at PyeongChang 2018, silver in the women´s super-G sitting, the Austrian alpine skier shared it with the media for the first time.

“I love doing quizzes, it is a mental challenge,” Loesch said of the activity that helps her get into the zone before a big competition. It is important to train your mind as much as your body.”

“It would be a nice idea to organise a Quiz Games. There is a pre conception that athletes are not so smart, and maybe we can fight that prejudice having a quiz night.”

“I especially like playing with a group, thinking and discussing the answers. Coming up with the right answer feels almost as good as a ski race.

“I do quizzes of all sort, individual, trivia. I am actually number eight in the Austrian quiz ranking. One time I was competing at the Quiz European Championships and the reigning champion recognised me from competing at the Winter Paralympics. So cool!

“Quizzes are something I love. They help me put my mind off when things are not going that well on the slopes. Just forget about everything and focus on something else during some hours.

“My boyfriend also loves them so sometimes we are on the couch asking questions to each other. My favourite topics? Definitely history and politics.

“It would be a nice idea to organise a Quiz Games. There is a pre conception that athletes are not so smart, and maybe we can fight that prejudice having a quiz night.”

Germany's Anna Schaffelhuber has been unstoppable so far. After sweeping all five events at Sochi 2014, she took gold in the downhill and super-G sitting at PyeongChang 2018.

Loesch could not finish the first event but bounced back to claim silver in the latter and is still hopeful of taking home gold.

“It is great to win silver because I did not ski as well as I could have. But at the moment I am feeling more disappointment for not winning gold than joy for the silver. It will change in a week.

“In the downhill I broke my really good race ski. The other one is good but it is not the one I feel more comfortable on, and that kinda sucks.

“I need to ski fast to beat Anna. She is a great skier.”

Tickets for PyeongChang 2018 can be purchased here.

Every competition as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies can be watched live right here on the International Paralympic Committee’s website. Highlights of each day’s action will also be made available.