It's been more than four months since Maria Ramberger has successfully underwent a surgery of her collateral ligament. Four months which the snowboarder from Klosterneuburg, Austria has used for an intense rehab programme and performance training.

“I'm feeling pretty fine again although I have to warm up my knee very well before training. But when done so, everything is almost tip-top again,” says the Team Snowboard Austria athlete.

Since June, Ramberger has been in the USA to prepare for the up-coming season. Based in Park City, the 2002 Olympic venue, the 28-year-old did train a lot.

“Depending on my schedule I did a lot of work-out in the gym, cycled, went for a run or some skateboarding.”

Nevertheless, the two-time Olympian is looking forward to be back on snow:

“It's been almost half a year since the World Cup finals took place last March, and I really want to go for some on-snow training with the Austrian team again.

I'm looking forward to the new season. The calendar is looking good and promises some variety and nice new venues. Going to Korea for an Olympic test event might be the most interesting though.”

The first stop however will be the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup opener in Montafon, Austria and therefore a home-field event for the rider from Lower Austria.

Source: fis-ski.com