Things are going well for Katharina Schmid and the German ski jumpers. And that also because with coach Heinz Kuttin not only the ease but also the sporting success has returned.
Katharina Schmid comes to the interview in a casual and relaxed manner. In a tracksuit with wool socks tucked into flip-flops, she appears relaxed, almost relaxed, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the World Cup season. The laughter – it’s as much a part of Schmid this winter as the top placings.
“I’m having a lot of fun ski jumping right now and also have self-confidence,” she says in the Sportschau interview: “Of course that came and comes with the good competitions. That’s what makes it.”
Schmid earned the good competitions, three victories and the fact that she made it onto the podium in all five competitions this season. She knows who is responsible for things going so well this season. “Me – and Heinz” she says and almost inevitably laughs.
Kuttin’s sassy sayings
Heinz is trainer Heinz Kuttin, who has been training the ski jumpers since this year. And not only has he brought a good dose of Austrian insults to the team, but he also places great value on working together. “He is very human and is good for us”reveals Schmid.
Kuttin himself, usually rarely at a loss for a line, becomes almost serious when he explains what lies behind his relaxed attitude. “Very often there are loose sayings, but they all have an ulterior motive”says Kuttin: “So they experience certain things, like: If the day isn’t going so well, they still try to take it more calmly. They can crumble, think around and worry too much or say, okay: That wasn’t my day today.“
Back to the basics
That’s exactly what Kuttin wants from the athletes and tries to set an example herself. “The important thing is to remain human. That’s the main point.”says the Austrian: “Even if it doesn’t go so well. We’ve done very well so far and I hope it stays that way.” Schmid and teammate Selina Freitag also confirm this. “Positive – that’s his word. He always says: ‘Positive body language!'”says Friday: “He has a lot of experience and made quite a difference in our team this summer.”
Kuttin worked with the German ski jumpers on what they themselves call “basics” – relied on short skis, small jumps and worked on landing and telemark. “It was a bit strange at first”so Friday: “But he had a plan and we went along with it.” It was important for Kuttin that the jumpers were so open to his ideas. “Everyone really got involved”he says: “We approached it very individually, even though we didn’t even know each other yet. At some point the point came where trust in each other grew.”
DSV jumping coach Heinz Kuttin waves the flag
Sun and hard work in autumn
In order for this to work, Kuttin prescribed summer and sun for the team again in the fall. “We trained very hard again in Cyprus, but we had fun”says the coach. It’s the fun that can still be felt even shortly before one of the season’s highlights, the Two Nights Tour. Maybe also because with Coach Kuttin the lightness is back in the German team.
The fact that Schmid, who was still thinking about a possible end to her career in the summer, is currently wearing the yellow jersey means a lot to the Oberstdorf native. “It would be a lie if I said: ‘I would like to give up the yellow jersey'”says Schmid and laughs: “I like the yellow jersey and will try to keep it on for a while.” And maybe a trophy will be added to the textile on the Two Nights Tour.