This article first appeared on rtl.de.

The pain and sadness are still deep. No wonder: the most difficult day in Felix Neureuther's life was only three months ago. On January 4, 2023, his mother Rosi Mittermaier died. Now it was Neureuther's first birthday without his mother. A moment for the ex-ski star to pause and speak up with an emotional video and touching lines. The post on Instagram makes one thing clear above all: Rosi Mittermaier is still sorely missed.

"I'm fine on the mountain," reveals Felix Neureuther in a video that shows him skiing. And that has a touching reason: "Because at that moment, I'm a little closer to heaven." The view from above helps him to "understand things better". This may include the death of his mother. The passion for skiing has always connected the two. The first winter without her was one of the biggest challenges for Neureuther and his family. But his environment gives him strength: "In difficult times, family cohesion is the decisive factor !!!", the father of three writes about the video.

"I'm 39 years old today and I look up with a smile and I'm grateful!" Neureuther continues. His wife, ex-biathlete Miriam Neureuther, commented on the post with a red heart. She writes about this: