2023-10-13 03:12:42
A “galactic year” and stand-up qualities were rewarded with the NIKI on Thursday evening in the Wiener Stadthalle. Felix Gall, a whiz in cycling, and the ski jumper Eva Pinkelnig, who fought her way back from serious injuries, were honored as Austria’s Sportsman of the Year at the Lotteries Sporthilfe Gala to a standing ovation from the 1,300 guests in an evening full of emotions.
Pinkelnig won an overall World Cup victory and two World Championship silver medals this year. If you know the story behind it, it’s even more impressive. As a late starter, the Vorarlberg native only began jumping from the ski jumps at the age of 24. A traumatic brain injury and a ruptured spleen, both as a result of a fall, meant that her sporting career took a back seat. She resisted prophecies of doom that she should give up jumping and, at the age of 35, got the reward she deserved.
They were accompanied on stage by memories of their ordeal. “I was already fighting back tears. It was a firework of emotions. Thank you that my achievements are being honored and the story shows what is possible with faith and trust. Many from outside have already said, too old, too “Little talent, not enough grit. Thank God I listened to my own heart and the people closest to me,” Pinkelnig explained.
Faith gave her strength to overcome the difficult phases. “I have a very, very deep faith. I know that I am worth more than all the trophies and victories,” she emphasized and hopes to motivate others with her fighting spirit. “I’m really happy that all the tears were simply valuable and that my story can encourage many people,” said Pinkelnig.
Gall also wrote a special story. The East Tyrolean was originally not intended for the Tour de France by his team AG2R, but fought for a place, took on the role of captain during the tour and, with his triumph on the queen stage, ensured a highlight in Austrian cycling history. “It was an absolutely galactic year. So many things happened this year that were beyond my imagination,” said the 25-year-old, who was also named Rising Star of the Year.
Gall is the fourth cyclist to be voted Austria’s Sportsman of the Year in the election among local sports journalists that has been held since 1949. “We are not a cycling nation, but when we celebrate success, it is well recognized,” he said happily.
The honor was a final highlight of his season; in the next few weeks he will “take a breather” because he has “not yet recovered 100 percent from the tour”. Structured training will start once more in mid-November. In contrast to this year, he will be in the spotlight right from the start at the races starting in February. “I went into the tour carefree, had no pressure. It will be different next year, it will be a challenge to top that,” he is aware.
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