Cross-country skier Philipp Moosmayer from Leutkirch started the new year with a surprising success. At the US Championships in Houghton, Michigan, the 18-year-old, who has been training in Fairbanks (Alaska) since September, took first place in the U20 age group. He needed 25:58.9 minutes over the ten-kilometer freestyle. In the international field of 254 starters, he took a strong 16th place overall. For the cross-country skier, who grew up with the TSG skiers’ guild in Leutkirch, a demanding program awaits at the US championships with the sprint competitions and the mass start in classic technique until January 7th.
Philipp Moosmayer qualifies for the FISU World Games
Moosmayer has also qualified for the third largest international winter sports event after the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the FISU World Games. These will take place in Lake Placid from January 12th to 22nd. More than 1500 winter sports enthusiasts from over 50 nations will take part in the international university championships. Moosmayer starts with four to five other cross-country skiers for Team Germany. At 18, the man from Leutkirch is one of the youngest starters in the international competition, which is open to 25-year-olds.
Thanks to a scholarship, Moosmayer has been living and studying in Alaska since September. A typical day for him is currently a mixture of studying, training, eating and sleeping. Everything is structured and planned in the universities so that the students can concentrate on their studies and sports. Everything is integrated on the huge campus. There is even a separate police and fire station there; plus a hairdresser, even cross-country ski trails. Moosmayer’s short-term sporting goal is now to establish himself in the USA. With first place in the US championships in the U20 age group, he has already taken a step forward.