When the new ski jumping World Cup season starts this weekend, eyes will also be on Philipp Raimund. The DSV Adler caused a stir with its overall victory at the Summer Grand Prix. The 25-year-old wants to carry the momentum into the Olympic winter.
Raimund was the first German ski jumper since Andreas Wellinger twelve years ago to win the prominent Summer Grand Prix.
Now the start of the World Cup in Lillehammer (from November 21st) is just around the corner. “I don’t know for sure, but of course I hope that my form continues. In winter everything feels a little different because of the colder air. Nevertheless, there have often been cases in which strong summer jumpers were also good in winter – and sometimes not,” said Raimund in an interview with “chiemgau24”.
He’s trying to “take my form with me, keep working every day and want to get a little better every day. If it stays that way, the season should look pretty good,” said the DSV athlete.
Ski jumping: Raimund “much more relaxed now”
Last season, Raimund finished 24th in the overall World Cup. Is more possible this winter? Raimund also sees progress away from the hill.
“I’m much more relaxed now. At the beginning, the whole World Cup and competition circus was totally hectic with cameras, press conferences, races and interviews. But you get used to it and everything has become more normal,” revealed the 25-year-old.
He observes “that more experienced athletes in the World Cup get better over time. I was just very nervous at the beginning because I had the feeling that I had to prove myself. Now it’s more like this: I belong, my starting place is secure and I can concentrate step by step on moving forward and looking for the podium places,” said Raimund.