Thanks to some extraordinary measures, Abigail Strate presented herself at her best in the first of two competitions on the Two Nights Tour in Garmisch. She reveals how she managed this in her sport.de column.
I’m so happy. The first podium finish of the season on the new Two Nights Tour in Garmisch. After I fell short of my own expectations in the first World Cups, my coach Janko Zwitter and I took extraordinary measures. I was, so to speak, sent to Norway to be with my friend and was supposed to just clear my head over Christmas and throw worrying about placements overboard; this succeeded.
Part two of the master plan was organizing our thoughts on the return journey to Slovenia, where we Canadians are “stationed” in Europe. Organizing thoughts meant being happy, thinking about missed goals, but also focusing on the small-scale work on the jump.
“Things were indeed getting better day by day”
Part 3 was then laid out practically. Special training with Janko in Planica and try to make the crucial adjustments. Things were indeed getting better day by day. The errors could be identified and I had to carefully make changes to my automated jumping system. I was slowly gaining access to my potential again.
The journey to Garmisch was filled with happiness and confidence.
“The time is ripe for equality in the hills!”
Garmisch – the first venue of the newly created Two Nights Tour, a replacement tour for the Four Hills Tournament. As much as the ski jumping ladies were happy about the next step of their own Four Hills Tournament, everyone is hoping that the Two Nights Tour will take place for the first time this year, but also for the last time. The time is ripe for equality! We want our own tour of the traditional locations without any ifs and buts. We also want to jump for the Golden Eagle and not a silver owl!
But back to Garmisch: the audience gave us a great reception and the jump and weather conditions were perfect for the start of a new chapter in the history of women’s ski jumping.
I felt the new drive during training and qualification. The things we had worked on in Planica began to take effect. Okay, it works. Stay cool and do your best!
The competition then went like clockwork. I just let it go and nailed both jumps well and those jumps led to the podium! I just let my happy tears flow, the tension in the last few weeks was huge. Finally, I was finally able to show what I was capable of in a competition!
Award ceremony, press conference, drive back to the hotel, be happy with myself.
I’m off to Oberstdorf tomorrow morning – I’m ready!
Best regards
Abigail Strate