Cuche on road to recovery but out for the season

“My objective in Paralympic alpine skiing is, if feasible, winning a medal at either the World Championships or Paralympic Games one day.”

Switzerland’s Robin Cuche is focusing fully on his recovery after tearing a cruciate ligament at the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in Panorama, Canada, in March.

“This season, I will not be able to compete, I have to build up my leg muscles and I can start skiing again in February but not in the gates,” Cuche said.

At the moment, the 17-year-old is working hard on getting back to full strength as fast as possible. “For my rehabilitation, I have started to run and jump. My leg is already quite strong and I have good balance,” he said.

Cuche is the nephew of Olympic super-G silver medallist Didier Cuche, who retired in 2012 with 21 World Cup race victories to his name.

Robin Cuche explains that hitting the slopes with his uncle can be a rare occurrence. “We do not often ski together due to our busy agendas but he has coached our team twice in the World Cup where I have benefitted from his advice.”

There are other ways in which the young skier has gained from his family expertise. “Of course Didier helped me with the knowledge in order to better my skis and boots. He also gave me some tips to help improve my technique.”

An aptitude for skiing must be run in the family, as Cuche explains that it was not only his uncle but his whole family who ignited his passion for the sport. His brother also takes part in some skiing events. So when he himself is not on the slopes, Cuche enjoys watching his brother ski.

Cuche joined the national team at the age of 13, and three years later he was competing at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, in the slalom and giant slalom.

It was at his first World Championships that he fell before he had the chance to show his potential, having showed promise with his first World Cup podium in St. Moritz, Switzerland just a few weeks before.

But Cuche has his sights set on competing at the highest level as soon as he is back to full strength.

“My objective in Paralympic alpine skiing is, if feasible, winning a medal at either the World Championships or Paralympic Games one day,” he said. “I should resume full training on snow as early as Summer 2016.”

The full 2015-16 calendar can be found at IPC Alpine Skiing’s website.