Reinhard Hess – “We weren't scared at all”
W 1993 Reinhard Hess took over as head coach of the German national team. Initially, his main task was to perfectly switch players to the new V-style. From season to season, Hess players achieved more and more success.
57-The summer coach from Thuringia works enthusiastically with the young players. His balance sheet is truly admirable, with the team he won over 20 medal. However, his hunger for victories has not yet been satisfied, and the next opportunity to increase this achievement will be the world championships in Predazzo in February 2003 year.
Mr. Hess, which prevailed, that you chose “sleepy” the town of Gällivare in Sweden for its first training camp?
Reinhard Hess: Here we have the necessary peace for training. We practice without any obstacles and there is no fuss around us.
You train here on the normal hill. Getting unreliable in Kuusamo 29 November will be held at a large venue. Is it bad for the beginning of the season?
Hess: We recently trained on the igielite, and now we give the first jumps in the snow. We will gradually rearrange our training. This is not a defect.
We have the opportunity, to train in Kuusamo beforehand.
What's special about your training right now??
Hess: We're working on the technique, especially on strength, which we will need for the 4-Hills-Tournament. In general, we attach importance to athletics.
our foundation, when it comes to jumping, will be 80 trials performed by each competitor during the two weeks in Gällivare.
Christof Duffner had to return home after his fall. Will someone be appointed to replace him??
Hess: No one else will be nominated for camp in Gällivare.
It's a worry, that Christof's fall would leave a vacancy. Someone from the B team will go to the start of the World Cup.
Has the name come up yet??
Hess: NO. I don't have any insight yet.
This decision will be made by Andi Bauer alone.
You have already experienced a similar time of injury?
Hess: This is nothing out of the ordinary. You have to live with this situation – risk is inherent in this discipline. We will not back down now, like snails to their shells, we just get to work. It didn't scare us at all.
In past seasons, with one exception (Hocke w Engelbergu), only Schmitt and Hannawald won individual competitions. There are no other players on the team?
Hess: They just jump shorter. Such exceptions, like Martin and Sven don't happen often. It's quite normal, that not everyone succeeds in the World Cup.
Who is closest to these two right now?
Is someone on their heels??
Hess: I don't see any such player at the moment.
It's not easy to replace the best.
In the summer, the German players did not make a sensation. You will demand better results in winter?
Hess: As I already mentioned, it's not that easy to replace the best players. But we'll be in that position again, that we will present new ones, high-class players.
Just like we achieved after Weißflog and Thom.
However, it takes time and patience. I've already seen Frank Löffler succeed to the throne. I will not make similar mistakes. we saw, What happened.
How Sven Hannawald presents himself during the first trainings in the snow?
Hess: I am very glad, that he can train,without feeling any pain.
He is a professional and can assess the situation realistically. However, we are very optimistic. Sven will be one of the favorites for the 4-Hills-Tournament again.
Also Stephan Hocke was injured. What does his progress look like?
Hess: Stephan only had a torn ligament. As a result, he did not have such a large training backlog. Psychology played a significant role in him. He will progress and demand more of himself. Patience is also required in this case. If he doesn't mess with his head, will be successful.
Martin Schmitt is currently training in the Black Forest. Not much can be said about him yet. So what is the Michael Uhrmann case??
He was on the Olympic team in Salt Lake City, but in summer, because of science, hardly trained.
Hess: It will also perform well in winter.
As for Martin, this is what I would like to say, that I do not rule out his chances at the 4-Hills-Tournament.
What will the Lord do?, if there are no successes in winter?
Hess: I cannot answer that question, because i guess, there will be successes. I would like to emphasize, that in previous years we had to fight for every victory. First of all, we put hard work into it.
The start of the World Cup is fast approaching. What are your feelings at this thought?
Hess: I fall into a state of joy 2 November feels tingling. My wife noticed this too. In the summer, training is different, there is no feeling. This is exactly how I feel in winter, like the players.
You will not lose your health?
Hess: Sometimes I already believe it, but I always told myself: If it stays within limits, everything is fine.
What are your wishes for the upcoming season??
Hess: Firstly, I would like to bring all healthy players home to my parents at the end of March. Secondly, to remain a country of ski jumping. And third, for us to come back from Predazzo with the world championship.