A heavy knee injury kept him out for the whole 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. Due to his recuperation program, hard training and mental strength he was able to fight himself back into the Austrian team for the 2003-04 season.
A severe leg injury prevented him from participating in the entire 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. As a result of his rehabilitation regimen, rigorous training, and mental resilience, he was able to regain his spot on the Austrian team for the 2003-04 season.