Luisa Görlich is one of the best ski jumpers in Germany. In her column at sport.de, the 24-year-old looks back on the competition in Willingen – an experience that left its mark.
The contrasts could not be greater. Just now in Willingen on the largest large hill that the World Cup has to offer, namely the 130-meter hill in the Sauerland, in front of 23,000 spectators who “carried” you down in an atmospheric way, and now in the tranquil Austrian Hinzenbach on a comfortable 85- meter jump with significantly less audience.
The next two World Cup competitions are coming up and the view of the upcoming World Championships in Planica, Slovenia, is getting closer.
But first a look back:
Willingen reverberate – that’s how you can describe it. First of all, it was once again confirmation for us women that we are ready for ski flying. Constant distances of the best jumpers between 120 and 140 meters, which were not always easy to “fly” because the weather offered everything there is, snow and rain, wind and sun and also in rapid change, so you certainly do could also speak of a weather component.
At the same time, it was a special mental challenge to jump in front of such a large audience. Sometimes a burden for some of the starters, for me personally, the pure adrenaline, the encouragement to give everything you’ve got. Sitting on the beam and hearing your name from the crowd, every muscle is tense, the body just ready to give it all, show it all, to perform well.
I was very satisfied with my jumps and the intensive “landing training” of the last few weeks made itself felt in the Telemark. As far as the World Cup is concerned, I’m on the right track and I’m happy about that – it creates a positive momentum of its own.
Hinzenbach is also a good way to determine where you are going, since the basic elements of jumping – approach, take-off, flight attitude, landing – have to be jumped cleanly on small hills in order not to experience any nasty surprises.
Small jumps don’t forgive mistakes and they have to be jumped a little differently than large jumps, where speed from the take-off table is an important prerequisite for long jumps. We’ll record and analyze things well and then, after a few days of regeneration in Oberstdorf, we’ll start preparing for the World Cup. Against this background, we will also skip the next regular World Cup.
In preparation for the World Championships, it will be about fine-tuning the little things, generating the last few meters and getting a mental focus on the big event with competitions on the normal and large hills and above all with team and mixed competitions.
So let’s go!
Best regards
Luisa Gorlich