Walter Hofer – “Optimum achieved”

Walter Hofer – “Optimum achieved”

Walter Hofer has been the Director of the World Cup for eleven years. Under his rule, he introduced many changes and amendments to the ski jumping regulations.

Skispringen.com: What do you think about the multiplying knee injuries of the best jumpers? Next to Martin Schmitt, who explains his injury to his constant hunting for distances and records, Adam Małysz and Frank Löffler also suffer from similar injuries.

Walter Hofer: The injuries are probably of a different nature.
As for the one of Adam Małysz, I know that, that he contracted it during conditioning training.
I'm really clueless, because I didn't talk to the right doctor. If the players say so, I have to accept it. Except in the case of Martin Schmitt, however, no statements have been made so far. In general, in imitation exercises, the load is disproportionately high, and this can quickly lead to overload.

Skispringen.com: In this discipline, the trend of dominating strong players has become visible, against lightweights. Has the optimum been reached in this regard??

Hofer: us this change, where the jumper applies more to athletics, came out well. To accomplish it, We have achieved a very good cooperation between the trainers, competitors and the FIS.
I think, that an optimum has already been reached in this respect.

Skispringen.com: A lot has changed and improved in ski jumping in recent years. What is your vision for the future?
What about the idea of ​​organizing competitions in Moscow??

Hofer: We are very pleased with everything now. However, we will not sit idly by.
We must act now for these, which should exist in five to ten years. We certainly want to include Russia more, as soon as the political and organizational tracks open.

Skispringen.com: There was a dangerous situation in Zakopane last season, chaos reigned. What steps will Mr, so that this situation does not happen again?

Hofer: We gave the organizers clear instructions. We limit ourselves to 40 000, up to 50 000 viewers. 70.000, like last year, it can't happen again.

Skispringen.com: Who do you think is the favorite of the coming season??

Hofer: Promises to be interesting. I put teams on three steps.
On the first four countries (Austria, Finland, Norway and the United States), which have Finnish trainers. It will be interesting, who will get recognition.
Second step : I will mention, among others, Slovenia, which should show up again, Czech Republic and Switzerland.
And the third: dominant teams, like Germany, but I also include Austrians and Finns among them.

Skispringen.com: Meaning, that everyone is the favorite of the World Cup?

Hofer: Exactly. There will be a large number of players.
Everyone is able to decide in their favor the competition for the World Cup.
Ups and downs can be expected. As for breakthroughs, I think, that a new face will appear in the ski jumping circus again.
As for the highs, it seems to me, that experienced players, like Andi Widhölzl and Roberto Cecon, will take the lead again.

Skispringen.com: You expected such a development of ski jumping?

Hofer: It was unpredictable. Now we try, financially and sportingly support weaker countries, as best we can.
We provide confidential tips, on training methods.

Skispringen.com: How do you assess the ever-growing media interest??

Hofer: This is important for the sport, window to the public. However, sporting value must be preserved – sport must remain sport.

Skispringen.com: What do you think about the Internet, as one of the primary media?

Hofer: The internet completely convinced me – ski jumping is therefore always online. With the internet, fans have more options, to contact players.
This is also capital, how much interest in jumping is during the summer months. In addition, the Internet dispels obscure information.

Skispringen.com: This will be your eleventh year as World Cup Director. You don't feel tired?

Hofer: I am constantly developing and growing up with this discipline.
Every year I have a feeling, that I'm starting over.
We still have a lot ahead of us, what we want to improve and optimize.
It's not just about the current situation, We have very promising plans, among others, to Turin 2006.

Skispringen.com: You have enough time to relax?

Hofer: I have an impressive transformation from intense work to relaxation. If I spend two, three days with my family, then it is a good rest for me.