Martin Hoellwarth – “The atmosphere in the team is optimal”
On Thursday, the Austrian national team starts training in the snow
in Kuusamo. The World Cup inauguration site is also their first training ground.
“It really has nothing to do with it, that's where the World Cup starts, but we are going there, to have some peace.
The hill in Kuusamo is very big and therefore very few teams choose it for their first snow jumps”, says Martin Hoellwarth.
Where you are going is no secret, opposite to Germany. Why is it like that?
Martin Hoellwarth:
” Mystery? If I know the Germans, yes 99% they will go to Gallivare. It's always been like that”.
Hoellwarth, winner of the last competition of the summer 2002 in Innsbruck, fourth overall Grand Prix and Austrian champion for three weeks, is in top shape right now.
“I was absolutely satisfied with my jumps last week, at the end of summer training everything went really optimal.
As for the upcoming season, I am very optimistic. If I can maintain my form from a week ago until winter, I will be very, very confident”.
A long list of successes
And that's what the player says, who was always modest.
List of Hoellwarth's recent achievements 10 years is really impressive:
junior world champion 1991, triple, olympic silver medalist 1992 z Albertville, countless world championship medals, victories in the World Cup, podium at the 4-Hills-Tournament.
It's all on the account of a jumper born in 1974 year.
Hoellwarth, married and since March this year the proud father of Nico's son, I want to be there again this winter.
Huge Hoellwarth experience, without a doubt, will be a big advantage. But this is only part of his capital, that allows
to be one of the favorites of the new season.
In the summer, the Austrian changed skis and now jumps on the same skis as Martin Schmitt and Sven Hannawald (Rossignol).
But, as reported in the press in recent days, first, only the two Germans will receive new ones, exclusive skis.
Martin Hoellwarth:
“It's not quite like that. After reading these messages on the Internet, I spoke to Pierre Heinrich from Rossignol.
I will have new skis in a comparable time to other competitors.
But honestly speaking, I feel so strong now, that even with the old equipment I would beat the competition” Hoellwarth says, laughing.
The level of the entire Austrian national team presented during the Summer Grand Prix was really high. Did it last until last week??
Martin Hoellwarth:
“Of course. He was very good last week.
During training, Andi Widhoelzl and I were on the same level.
One day he was better, the other me.
But also Martin Koch and Wolfi Loitzl are very strong at the moment.
And even further, Andi Goldberger and Stefan Thurnbichler jumped well in training”.
“Everything is fine on the team.
There is a very good atmosphere and we are looking forward to winter.
Now we're all just waiting for it”.
How to work with new coaches?
Martin Hoellwarth:
“Everything really good. Heinz Kuttin and Stefan Horngacher are great to work with. The tasks will be perfect.
There are no problems with understanding the meaning of the new coach's words, because Hannu Lepisto speaks practically fluent German.
Who do you think will be the favorite of the next season??
Martin Hoellwarth:
“There are several, Janne Ahonen and Matti Hautamaeki will be confident
both at the helm.
I cannot judge the chances of Martin Schmitt and Sven Hannawald because of their long injuries. They're both strong
and they cannot be ignored. As I said, much will depend on it, how the injuries affected them.
Naturally, Adam Małysz must also be on this list, and watch out for the Norwegians, who in the summer were not yet equal, but they showed,
that they go up.
Clint Jones jumped very evenly and very high in the summer, technical level”.
You forgot two more names:
Widhoelzl i Hoellwarth.
“So, this is a requirement to put us on the favorites list.
As always, the first competitions are very important.
If the start goes well and you're in the lead, circle
it will start to rotate”.
It is precisely the victory in the World Cup classification that Hoellwarth still lacks in his collection.
Never before has the Austrian actually had such a good starting position before the start of the season.
Will he use his vast experience and potential?
We'll know more soon. The World Cup begins 29 November in Kuusamo, Finland.