Shortly before Christmas and the upcoming Four Hills Tournament, it’s time to get back to you. The past few weeks have been very good from a sporting point of view and I am really happy to be back in the World Cup.

After I had secured my starting place in the World Cup through good performances in the Continental Cup in the summer, I was able to jump free from the beginning. Especially because my back is super stable and doesn’t show any complaints.

The winter season started for us traditionally with the Austrian Championships in Bischofshofen and Ramsau, then we went to Wisla/Poland, where we started the World Cup season for the first time with a so-called hybrid competition (start on ice, land on the mats).

Then we went to Ruka/Finland and there I could fix my first TOP 10 place this season. It was even better in Titisee-Neustadt: In the first competition I only just missed the podium as fourth, but as the best Austrian I was able to fix my starting place in the mixed team jumping the next day. Together with Eva Pinkeling, Sara Marita Kramer and Stefan Kraft we celebrated a great victory; I was really happy to finally be able to stand at the top of the podium in the World Cup again.

The following World Cup in Engelberg was a bit of a rollercoaster ride: In the first jump it didn’t go well at all and I didn’t manage to qualify for the second round. But I managed to stay calm, didn’t think too much about it and tried to be free in the second jump. I succeeded and with 7th place I was back where I wanted to be. This experience of getting “back on track” even after a bad jump was very valuable for me and balm on my soul.

Now, in the days before Christmas, we trained diligently and I defined our strategy for the Four Hills Tournament with my systemic coach Patrick Murnig. Now I enjoy the quiet holidays and look forward to Christmas with my family.

I hope to see you at the Tournament, this time there will be an audience in the stadiums at all stations again, that will be mega!

I wish you and your families a blessed Christmas, good health and a successful year 2023!

 

Yours Michi