Luisa Görlich is one of the best ski jumpers in Germany. In her column at sport.de, the 24-year-old looks at the upcoming competition in Willingen and reports on the special preparation and work on her “permanent problem”.
The view goes out into the valley, which opens towards Sonthofen and shows more “green” than “white” – unfortunately the permanent state in our current female jumpers winter.
It’s early and the temperatures are slightly below “zero”. I’m sitting on the beam of the large hill in Oberstdorf and waiting to be waved off. Since returning from the World Cup weekend in Hinterzarten, we have had days of hill training, which is rather unusual for us. But the World Cup in Willingen is just around the corner, an extraordinary event with an extraordinary hill also requires extraordinary measures.
After we jumped on normal hills at our World Cup stations in the past, in Willingen not only a large hill is on the agenda, but rather a “big” large hill that demands a lot from the jumpers. A year ago at the same place, one of us jumpers was even able to jump 151 meters – a crazy feeling of flying!
So that we can approach the large hill again after our normal hill routine, we have scheduled the special training session on the large hill in Oberstdorf. In particular, the elements during the flight phase are put to the test, as well as my “small” permanent problem with a flawless Telemark landing.
Anticipation of the “legendary” Willingen audience
The telemark doesn’t work well for me when my upper body is too far forward during the flight phase or just before landing; then the desired ending cannot always be shown in such a way that the adjudicators are convinced. Then I drop springs, i.e. rating points, which often put good distances into perspective. So I work on upper body stability and a better erection day by day with 3-6 jumps.
But basically everything is going in the right direction and I’m really looking forward to the Willinger Schanze and, of course, to the “legendary” Willingen audience, which is mainly recruited from ski jumping enthusiasts in Hesse and Westphalia. The whole place is a party all weekend long!
On Thursday morning we will leave for the Sauerland in order to complete a small strength unit in the evening after arriving at the “Sauerland” spa hotel. A short walk through the village at night, in order to be fit for the following three days.
After the intensive jumping training at my home base, I’m speculating with better placements than in Hinterzarten. I’m targeting the top 15 that are in there if, among other things, the telemark is good. I’m in good spirits and can’t wait to get on the hill. I’m really excited to see what distances can be “flown”.
I hope for a good mood and a nice competition!
Best regards
Luisa Gorlich