Soelden, Austria - Austrian icon Hermann Maier was back skiing on snow Tuesday for the first time in seven months after knee surgery amid ongoing speculation about his future in the sport. "I am pleasantly surprised, that's the best thing I can say," Austrian Press Agency APA quoted him as saying after first runs on the Soelden glacier.
Maier said that the troubled right knee felt as if nothing ever happened and that a recent shinbone injury also caused no problems, giving an indication that another season for the 37-year-old veteran is possible.
The "Herminator" Maier is yet to speak out about his future. He said on Monday night he would make a decision after seeing how he copes on the piste.
He will not compete in the World Cup season opener in less than three weeks in Soelden and for now is set to start the season in late November at speed races in Lake Louise, Canada.
The first tests back on snow are purely free skiing, with proper gate training to follow at a later stage.
The upcoming season is highlighted by the Vancouver Olympics in February.
Maier is one of the most successful alpine skiers with two Olympic golds, three world titles, four overall World Cup wins and 54 race wins.
