AJ Ginnis, 28, achieved Greece’s first podium finish in alpine skiing at the beginning of February.
Greek alpine skier on the podium. That’s not exactly the first thought that comes to mind about alpine skiing dominated by Austria and Switzerland.
However, it is true. Competing under the Greek flag AJ Guinness raved two weeks ago in the men’s slalom in Chamonix, France. This is Greece’s first place on the podium in the Alpine Skiing World Cup.
However, Ginnis has not reached the podium for any unknown reason. Sports expert Kalle Palander says that the 28-year-old athlete has been on the lips of the alpine skiing people for a long time.
Before his place on the podium, the best ranking of the Greek calculator was 11th. In the opener of this season, he was 12th, but counted on the wrong side of the stick, so in the end he was disqualified.
– We’ve seen hard individual bills from him here and there. The group has known all along that Herra has speed, says Palander.
The potential athlete’s real breakthrough has been hindered by sensitivity to mistakes and several injuries. He has undergone six knee surgeries, and the athlete completely missed last winter’s Olympics.
According to Palander, Ginnis’ bill has American nuances. For better or for worse.
– An extremely fast calculator. Unbelievably fast. He is one of the fastest, but he has been error-prone throughout his career. He has been an error-prone calculator his entire career, as quite a few Americans are.
“Terrible Bull”
Ginnis was born in Athens in 1994. His father is Greek and his mother is American.
He moved with his parents to Austria when he was 12 years old. Three years later, Ginnis moved to the United States.
Gaining American citizenship, Ginnis went to study at the Vermont Green Mountain Valley School, where he honed his alpine skiing skills. He quickly rose to the US national alpine skiing team, where he spent the years 2011–2018.
In 2018, he was cut from the US Olympic team. After the corona pandemic started, Ginnis asked if he could represent his country of birth, Greece. The Greek Federation didn’t have enough money to pay him for training, but he found a sponsor that made it easier to cover the costs.
– It’s a good win for the Yankees, Palander said.
Palander describes Ginnis as an extremely strong master of technical sports.
– Terrible bull. He probably has the biggest thighs in the World Cup.
According to Palanderi, thanks to Ginnis, there has been enthusiasm for alpine skiing in Greece.
– It has been shown on TV in Greece. Winter sports have never been a big treat there.
Palander makes Norway the favorites for men’s slalom at the World Championships in Courchevel by Henrik Kristoffersenof France by Clément Noël and Austria By Manuel Feller the names. Palander does not think that Ginnis will see a complete hit like Chamonix again this season.
But.
– The slope is really icy. The Fischer ski that Ginnis uses works really well on that kind of snow. It gives opportunities to make a good result.
Alpine Skiing World Championships, Courchevel / Meribel, France ( TV2 and Areena)
Sat 18.2.
at 10:55 slalom, 1st round, women
at 14:25 slalom, 2nd round, women
Sun 19.2.
at 10:55 a.m. slalom, 1st round, men
at 14:25 slalom, 2nd round, men