The Swiss ski racer Niels Hintermann is suffering from lymph node cancer. The 29-year-old will not compete in any races in the upcoming season, but the chances of recovery are good.
The Swiss ski racer Niels Hintermann and team doctor Walter O. Frey at a press conference.
picture alliance/KEYSTONE
Shock diagnosis for Niels Hintermann. As the speed specialist announced on Wednesday afternoon at a joint press conference with his Swiss-Ski association in Zurich, he is suffering from lymph gland cancer. The 29-year-old will undergo outpatient chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Hirslanden Clinic in the coming months. The therapy and rehabilitation are expected to take around six months. Accordingly, Hintermann will not be competing in the coming World Cup season.
“Unfortunately, you see once again how unpredictable and unplannable life is,” said Hintermann: “The diagnosis is and remains shocking, but I am infinitely grateful that this type of cancer is very curable and that I have a lot of support from me My wife, my family, the sponsors, the association and of course my doctors. We are all pulling together and this will give me strength to get through this difficult time. Now it’s time to get through the only important fight.”
World Cup return firmly in sight
A return to the World Cup is planned for the following 2025/26 season. “I haven’t given any thought to resigning,” said Hintermann combatively. If everything goes according to plan, Hintermann will “be back at full strength,” explained Walter O. Frey, responsible Alpine doctor and Chief Medical Officer of Swiss-Ski. “He’s fit, which makes it easier for the chemotherapy. He should stay active, sport is a medication.”
During the training camp in South America a few weeks ago, a lump was discovered on Hintermann’s neck during physical therapy, the association announced. During examinations in Switzerland, tumors were subsequently found on the left side of the neck and right next to it under the collarbone.
For Hintermann, it is the second time that he has missed an entire season. In 2017/18 he did not compete in any races due to a shoulder injury. The Zurich native has been on the podium a total of seven times so far, and he celebrated his third World Cup victory on the last downhill run of last season in Kvitfjell (Norway).
