Karl Geiger is also the great hope in German ski jumping in 2022/2023. Before the start of the World Cup in Wisla, Poland, the three-time Olympic medal winner writes in his column on sport.de about the break in preparation, the challenges of the World Cup winter and his goals.
Oberstdorf, 8:15 a.m. – the Nebelhorn lives up to its name and is covered. Our team bus comes around the corner, driven by our assistant coach, in a good mood and full of energy, which he also needs.
Ahead of us are around ten hours of driving over 970 km – the journey to Wisla in Poland, where the start of the winter season ahead of us will take place and will give us an initial position assessment in an international comparison.
It is important for me to travel as comfortably as possible on the route, which should be possible with four people on the bus.
In addition to my home trainer and the driver, only my teammate Raimund Philipp will join the team. Best prospects for the opportunity to put your feet up and get in the mood for the start of the season.
This trip is indeed a turning point for me. The preparations are complete. I’ve enjoyed the last few days with my family – on a visit with our daughter Luisa to my in-laws in Schwäbisch Gmünd under the most beautiful autumn sun.
Ski jumping: Karl Geiger with “healthy respect”
Now we are facing a significant season with the Four Hills Tournament and the World Championships in Planica – a program whose physical and mental demands one should have a healthy respect for.
I keep getting asked about my current goals after last season when I was second overall in the World Cup and bronze medalist in Beijing at the Olympics. What is the second supposed to say when asked about his wishes?
Answering with all conceivable titles might make sense for one or the other because our thinking is always determined by the even better result, but I think you have to practice realism. The cards are reshuffled every season. In particular, with us ski jumpers it is never possible to predict which athletes will best anticipate the rule changes to the equipment. Ski jumping is a complex process with many adjustment screws that have to be readjusted from season to season.
“I demand of myself to work professionally”
What I demand of myself is to work professionally, to slide well into a season and to constantly improve in it; what this may mean in individual cases remains to be seen and also depends on the performance of the competitor, which is often not taken into account.
Passing landscapes and memories of last season mingle.
With the view from the Autobahn to the beautiful Austrian monastery of Melk, which marks the entrance to the Wachau, I realize that focusing on the task will be the most important thing for me.
The strenght is to be found in serenity. I’m looking forward to this season!
Best regards
Karl Geiger