Anna-Lena Forster Claims Germany’s First Gold at Milan/Cortina Winter Paralympics
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Anna-Lena Forster delivered a thrilling performance on Saturday, securing Germany’s first gold medal at the Milan/Cortina Winter Paralympics. The 30-year-classic Monoskier triumphed in the women’s downhill, edging out Spain’s Audrey Pascual Seco by a mere 0.05 seconds on the famed Tofana piste. This victory marks Forster’s fifth Paralympic medal and her first gold in the downhill event, building on her previous successes in slalom and super-combined.
The race was a nail-biter, with Forster visibly emotional as she awaited the final results. “Einfach krass,” (Simply incredible) she said, waving the German flag after her run, before a tense wait to see if her time would hold. Four weeks prior, Emma Aicher had secured a silver medal in the downhill at the same location during the Olympic Games, adding to the significance of Forster’s achievement.
“It’s so cool. It’s just genius that it worked out,” Forster exclaimed, surrounded by celebrating fans. “I’m relieved, so much fell off me because I felt the pressure this morning. It’s great that the close call was on my side today. This medal is all the more valuable because I fought so hard for it. That makes me incredibly proud.”
The day began unexpectedly for Forster, a customs officer, with a bout of nerves. “I felt sick to my stomach. I didn’t actually want to eat anything,” she revealed. “I didn’t think I’d wake up and be so nervous.” She admitted to a restless night before the competition, despite initially feeling relaxed the previous evening. “But I think that’s part of it.”
A Wild Run, a Perfect Result
Forster, starting as the second racer, wasn’t entirely satisfied with her run despite the winning time. “The result is perfect, but the race itself was highly wild. I had a few moments where I thought, ‘Oh God, you really can’t afford that,’” she assessed. A crash by Dutch racer Barbara van Bergen, which briefly halted the race, didn’t impact Forster’s performance. “I grasp that if Barbara starts ahead of me, that can happen because she’s unfortunately a bit of a crash pilot,” Forster commented.
The wait in the finish area was agonizing as Forster watched the remaining competitors complete their runs. “It’s really exciting to stand down here and wait for everyone to finish,” she confessed. She briefly believed her chances had slipped away when the Spanish racer posted fast intermediate times. “But somehow, it was enough in the end. It was a real thriller. I think it’s incredibly cool when races like today’s unfold so closely,” she said.
Wicker Secures Biathlon Bronze
The success didn’t stop with Forster. Anja Wicker added to Germany’s medal haul, claiming bronze in the biathlon sprint for athletes with sitting impairments. The 34-year-old finished behind American Oksana Masters, who has Ukrainian roots, and her teammate Kendall Gretsch, both of whom shot flawlessly. Wicker had two shooting errors but still managed to secure a place on the podium.
“I’ve been dreaming of winning a medal in the first race for weeks. Incredible that I made it so exciting,” Wicker said. “The last lap was really tough, but I’m super happy that it was enough. I’ll definitely toast with a Coke!”
Wicker, who has a malformed lower spine, was competing in her fourth Paralympic Games. She will have another opportunity to add to her medal count in the biathlon individual event on Sunday, as well as competing in cross-country skiing events. “I want more and I’m still motivated. But the goal was to win a medal here. And I did. That’s why I think I’ll sleep pretty well tonight,” she stated.
Andrea Eskau, 54, also competed for Germany in the biathlon, finishing eighth with a clean shooting record in her ninth Paralympic Games appearance.
The Milan/Cortina Winter Paralympics are underway, and Germany has started strong with these impressive performances. Anja Wicker will be back in action on Sunday in the biathlon individual event, seeking another opportunity to reach the podium. The Games promise further excitement and inspiring stories of athletic achievement.
dpa
