Martin Schmitt -“It would just be easier in Finland”
Martin Schmitt is one of the most successful German ski jumpers. Despite the weaker disposition last season, managed to win Olympic gold with the team in Salt Lake City.
At the World Ski Flying Championships in Harrachov, Czech Republic, he was only seconded to his teammate, Sven Hannawald.
However, the 24-year-old jumper has been suffering from knee problems for a long time. An unscheduled meniscus surgery disrupted a proper training program. For the first time in his career, Martin Schmitt will watch the opening of the World Cup on television.
Currently, the German is practicing individually in the Black Forest and hopes, that he will be able to stand on the inrun during the competition in Titsee-Neustadt.
Martin, you always started the season well. How do you feel about the thought, That 29 November, you will not start in Kuusamo?
Martin Schmitt: It's bloody awful. It's not easy to reconcile, I will be watching the inauguration on TV. The beginning is always especially important, because if there are good results, then everything runs the same.
What are you doing now?
Schmitt: I train with Edo Hemar, former player. He developed the Reha program for me, that will allow me to jump again soon. Everything is running very well and, above all, it brings results.
You want to train with Edo Hemar for the long term? You can put more weight on your knee now?
Schmitt: We did everything in consultation with Wolfgang Steiert. Edo has undoubtedly taken the right steps. We want to see if the knee is no longer prone to injury.
Your return to the hill is planned for the competition in Neustadt 14/15 of December. What are the odds of that??
Schmitt: Currently, until the end of November, I am implementing the Reha program. If everything goes according to plan, I'm going to start training on the hill. I'll decide later, when I will jump in the World Cup again.
What will it depend on?
Schmitt: I'll start so soon, as soon as i find my normal level. If I only have 60 percentage of your technique, it doesn't make any sense. I will delay the start then. The most important is, to be healthy.
In Neustadt you would be jumping in front of your audience and you can be sure, it will be very numerous. Do you think, that will be an advantage?
Schmitt: It would just be easier in Finland. But after such a long break, it doesn't matter. I do not care, where i jump. The main thing is this, I can keep jumping.
Of course, after such a long pause, one cannot expect much.
How your teammates react. They've already called you, to comfort you?
Schmitt: Talk about it rather briefly and not always. I have more contact with trainers now, who always above all keep my spirits up.
You even had a chance, to test new equipment?
Schmitt: I thoroughly checked the boots last season. I'll stay with the old ones. In the summer I tested new skis once and they were suitable. If I start jumping in the World Cup, I have new and old. I will decide in no time.
Reinhard Hess said, that it does not rule out your chances at the 4-Hills-Tournament yet. How do you assess your situation?
Schmitt: Of course, I respect that a lot. But I guess, that Reinhard had a similar situation with Jens Weissflog and Dieter Thoma and therefore assessed the situation as such. Both have battled injuries and celebrated big comebacks. I want to record good results during the tournament. Of course, I can't expect much, but I will do my best.
The World Cup is the second major event of the season. Two years ago in Lahti you won a gold and a silver medal.
What is the value of the February championships in Predazzo for you??
Schmitt: I ticked off the World Cup. This makes the World Cup more central. After all, there is more time until then than until the tournament. This is beneficial to me.
A thought crossed your mind, to quit when you were injured?
Schmitt: Not really. I am optimistic, I hope, that soon I will start jumping and return to my old form.
What health means to you since this injury?
Schmitt: Of course you are more aware of it, what has happened. My body is very important to me. You learn to respect them more.
What to expect from your performances in the coming season?
Schmitt: Right now, I'm by no means a favourite. I'm actually an outsider. I have a huge backlog of training, because I couldn't exercise normally for almost a year.
I've never been in such a situation before. I have to wait and see, how it will go on. (OZ)