Improving Rabl has high hopes for skiing World Cup

“I feel very confident on snow and the training so far has been perfect.”

Austrian sit-skier Roman Rabl is looking forward to his first World Cup appearance in Tarvisio, Italy, between 18-19 January, as he continues his move through the rankings.

At the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games, Rabl secured three bronze medals in the slalom, giant slalom and super combined on his Games debut.

In 2015, the 24 year-old raced to his first World Championships medals with silver in the downhill and super combined in Panorama, Canada.

This was not quite good enough for Rabl however, as he still pines for gold: “Well, I feel how I should after two silver medals, I am sure I could have won the gold medal.

“I really liked the course over there but I am sure that everything just goes a bit different with big sport events, such as World Championships. Everything just has to be perfect on that particular day, therefore I am very happy and proud with my two silver medals.”

Looking ahead to the 2015-16 season, Rabl has clear targets in mind.

“This season my focus is definitely on the World Cup in Tarvisio, Italy, as this is my first time competing in it.” He explained. “I know that all my races have to be perfect and I have to be 100 per cent fit for every single competition.”

With five Europa Cup podiums already under his belt from the past three months, Rabl feels he can achieve great things.

“I feel very confident on snow and the training so far has been perfect so I am very much looking forward to the upcoming season and I hope everything turns out the way I am aiming for.”

The first IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup gets underway in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on Friday (15 January) with giant slalom and slalom. Tarvisio will follow with slalom and giant slalom on 18-19 January.