Reportage
Ski jumper Katharina Schmid has announced the end of her career. After the season is over, but before that an emotional farewell begins for the athlete.
As the applause erupted, Katharina Schmid first lowered her gaze and then her head, almost as if she wanted to bow. At the end of a long day, or perhaps at the end of a long career. The ski jumper decided in the summer that she would finish after this season. After 18 years on the big stage it should be over – the decision, “well thought out”says Schmid. When she lifts her head again and her face can be seen under the bright red cap, the 29-year-old beams.
Farewell to “something very special”
Schmid seems almost relieved that evening in a cinema in Oberstdorf. The media hype of the day, which she has dutifully completed over the years, but which she has rarely but really needed – seems to be part of the farewell. An impressive career for Schmid. After 263 World Cup starts, World Cup medals and two silver medals at the Olympic Games. “The sport will always remain something very special. I realized that I am happy with what I have”she had declared at a press conference a few hours earlier, announcing the end of her career in an audibly emotional manner in front of microphones and cameras. “It just felt good. I always said: It has to feel right.”
Schmid’s voice trembled, but the 29-year-old chose her words carefully, spoke of great successes, all the medals and titles, but also of setbacks and low points. For a moment the cameras stopped clicking, Schmid was completely with himself – giving insights into the decision and the process. The ski jumper had already thought about ending her career last year, which she communicated openly – but the desire for another World Cup season and the Olympic Games in February on the ski jump in Predazzo, Italy, was too great.
Schmid: Decision made in the summer
During discussions, the trainer and those in charge managed to change her mind. “It was clear to me that this didn’t work that often.”says Horst Hüttel, sports director of the German Ski Association (DSV). The association must now accept your decision: “Although of course, both athletically and personally, the gap will be there.” With Schmid, the German team is not only losing a top athlete – she was a role model, went and jumped ahead, gave her teammates the opportunity to learn from her and develop. “It was good that she gave us a few more years”says Agnes Reisch.
Smith smiles. Maybe also because she knows that with Reisch the next generation of ski jumpers is on track and ready. She noticed from year to year that she had to invest more. “I never just wanted to be there, but rather perform enough to be at the front.”
Champion for the Four Hills Tournament
That’s what she achieved: Schmid is world champion, won seven gold medals, as well as one silver and two bronze medals at the World Championships. “I was able to experience so much and be part of so many first times.” However, many first times, Schmid and the ski jumpers had to fight for it, promoting what should actually be self-evident. Visibility. Presence. Medial and sporty. Schmid has also taken a clear position here, unequivocally. She fought for those first times – and perhaps that’s why she shaped and inspired a generation of ski jumpers and ski jumping fans.
What others expressed as a wish, Schmid demanded – not angrily, but emphatically: the Four Hills Tournament for female ski jumpers. When there was finally a kind of mini-tour with the two-night tour, Schmid, together with the Austrian Eva Pinkelnig, made it clear that it was a kind of “bare minimum”, but nothing more. From the 2026/27 season onwards, the Four Hills Tournament for female ski jumpers will actually exist – again for the first time. But that without Schmid. “I would never stop otherwise”she says and laughs.
Press and popcorn
But she has to answer the question more often. Schmid answers patiently, seemingly resting within himself – the decision is made, but it is still emotional. “I’m just built close to the water”she says with a shaky voice. Of course, she will still follow the first Four Hills Tournament for female ski jumpers. But she’s not thinking about next winter yet. “First of all, I’m looking forward to the two-night tour, jumping at home, with my family and friends. I think it’ll be quite emotional again.”
Schmid takes the waves of emotions with him that day, jumping from interview position to interview position after the press conference – and just a few hours later he is on the stage of the cinema in Oberstdorf. This evening there will be the premiere of the ARD ski jumping documentary “Fly – Ski Jumping Up Close”. Schmid and her teammates, who, like the German ski jumpers, were accompanied by the documentary team last season, also provided insights.
Tears, hustle and bustle, trainer?
Great successes and bitter moments can be seen on the big screen this evening. Popcorn rustles and after the hustle and bustle of the day, the interviews on the red carpet – on which Andreas Wellinger and Karl Geiger Schmid celebrated once again for their successes, but above all for everything they have achieved, for a special career and the moments they shared together – it becomes quiet in the hall for 45 minutes. “It’s of course great to see the pictures. You’re immediately back in the feeling again”says Schmid and is looking forward to all episodes of “Fly”. “Of course I’ll watch everything and probably cry again”she says. “I managed quite well not to cry today. But, I won’t be able to hold back the tears.”
But it’s not over yet – for ski jumper Katharina Schmid. With a two-night tour, ski flying and the Olympic Games, there are still a few highlights until the end of the season. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the season. I don’t just want to be there at the Olympic Games – I want to fight for the medals.”says Schmid and grins, almost as if it wasn’t a wish but a promise. “I realized that there was a lot more for me that I would like to experience.” She already has her license as a trainer. So maybe ski jumping isn’t over after all after the end of your career.