BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Swiss ski racer Niels Hintermann's 101st career World Cup start in Thursday's downhill will be a memorable one — his first since being declared cancer-free.

The 30-year-old was diagnosed with lymph node cancer in October 2024 . He's gone through two cycles of chemotherapy and only began training again on snow in August.

Wins, for the moment, aren't of the highest priority. Neither is his time at the finish or even the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. All he's focused on for now — and in his first race in more than 21 months — is finding his rhythm again. It's been a long, tough road back to the start gate that's included days where he barely had enough strength to make it out of bed.

“A successful season for me? I've already achieved it, because I can

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