Tragic Reason Swiss Ski Racer is Missing 2024-25 World Cup Season

Switzerland’s Niels Hintermann, France’s Maxence Muzaton (left) and Austria’s Frederic Berthold enjoy their first career podium performances in World Cup alpine combined action in wengen Switzerland on Friday. pc; Agence Zoom — Switzerland’s Niels Hintermann (center) after winning his first-ever World Cup in Wengen, Switzerland, in 2017. | Picture: Agence Zoom

Swiss ski racer Niels Hintermann will miss the upcoming 24/25 FIS Alpine World Cup season. The 29-year-old speed specialist announced during a press conference in Zurich, Switzerland, as well as on his social media account yesterday, October 9, that he was diagnosed with lymph node cancer.

Hintermann had noticed a lump in his neck during the summer training season in South America, which was found to be cancerous. The Zurich native will undergo several rounds of chemo as well as radiation therapy and is optimistic he can stage a comeback for the 25/26 season.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any good news today. I was diagnosed with lymph node cancer last week, and I will start next week with a probably eight-week chemo and subsequent radiation therapy. The good news, however, is that according to the specialists, this type of cancer is fortunately very highly curable and should respond to chemo. It was a big shock, and we have experienced all kinds of emotions the last few days, but are now very positive and incredibly happy that the chances of recovery are so good. Recovery is, of course, the top priority, and therefore, I will have to skip this season in terms of skiing. But I should already be able to do the summer training for the season 25/56 without any problems.”

Niels Hintermann will miss the 24/25 season due to a shock cancer diagnosis. | Picture: Ricola Instagram

The announcement on his Instagram account was met by an outpouring of love and support from fellow teammates, sponsors, as well as co-competitors, like Aleksander Aamodt Kilde and Alexis Pinturault. Notably, retired Swiss skiing legend Verena “Vreni” Schneider also shared her best wishes for a speedy recovery. Schneider has a staggering 55 World Cup victories to her name, making her Vreni the fourth most successful female skier of all time, behind Mikaela Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn, and Annemarie Moser-Pröll. Schneider, who retired in 1995, lost her mother to cancer at only 13-years of age.

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Hintermann made his World Cup debut in 2015 and has three World Cup victories to his name. The Downhill specialist is also a two-time Swiss Champion and finished the 23/24 FIS World Cup season in sixth place in Downhill skiing.