Sports: Christoph Zwahlen returns
SWISS SPORT Christoph Zwahlen suffered a serious accident at the Massongex hillclimb in summer 2013. After a long convalescence, the two-time Swiss slalom champion will soon return to the race tracks. To this end, he has rebuilt an E1 Cadet. On September 1, 2013, Christoph Zwahlen almost paid for his willingness to take risks, which had brought him much success and recognition up to that point, with the [...]
On September 1, 2013, Christoph Zwahlen almost paid for his willingness to take risks, which until then had brought him much success and recognition, with his life. At the Massongex hillclimb race, the daredevil - which is by no means meant in a derogatory way - drove his poison-green Opel Kadett C GT/E off the track and crashed into a garden wall far from the roadside. The front end of the car was completely destroyed.
The jovial man from Thurgau suffered serious leg injuries that confined him to his hospital bed for months and have since meant years of convalescence. In the meantime, the 44-year-old feels so good that he is preparing his concrete return to the race tracks, although pain still reminds him of the accident on a daily basis.
In his garage in Pfyn, the Swiss slalom champion from 2010 and 2012 has made virtually an identical replica of the Opel Kadett C GT/E destroyed in the accident. He retains the poison-green paintwork and the engine (2.5-liter 16V engine).
Zwahlen will thus once again be driving in the E1 group up to 2.5 or 3 liters. A test run is planned for Easter Saturday (March 31) at the Röthis slalom in Vorarlberg. If the car runs well and the pilot feels comfortable, he will make his Swiss comeback at the Auto-Renntage in Frauenfeld on April 22.
Christoph Zwahlen: "I didn't want the story of my two-time champion car to end with this accident. The car will be at the best technical level. I have reinforced what is possible. I would have liked to use the slalom test days of the Equipe Bernoise in Ambri, but they take place too shortly before the race in Frauenfeld for me."
Cautious ambitions
A prerequisite for Zwahlen's comeback is the receipt of the 2018 ASS license, which depends on a medical certificate. He has prepared himself physically with special training, fast rides in karts and the rollout with the new Kadett with modified pedals.
Zwahlen makes no secret of the fact that he has long-term ambitions, i.e. to compete for the slalom championship again one day. He was leading the championship in 2013 until the fatal accident. And he has "not yet written off" a return to the mountain.
Christoph Zwahlen: "I'm not putting any pressure on myself, but of course I hope to be able to race up front again. In terms of the material, it should be possible.
AutoSprintCH already wishes Christoph Zwahlen good luck for his comeback and only accident-free journeys!
