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Carina Vogt: "Win in the World Cup was a relief"
In our interview series "FIS Ski Jumping-Talk" we present interviews with ski jumping athletes and officials. Today: Carina Vogt, World and Olympic Champion in ladies' ski jumping.
FIS Ski Jumping: Carina, congratulations on winning the title at the World Championships. The World Cup season is over now, how would you summarize it?
Carina Vogt: I'm very satisfied with my season. It was a big success that I could win a World Cup competition for the first time. Then I was carefree before the World Championships and everything worked out perfectly there. In addition, I was also third in the overall World Cup. All in all it might have been even better than last year.
FIS Ski Jumping: Like at the Olympics, you were among the favorites at this season's highlight. But again others were actually rated higher. Is this role maybe a small advantage?
Vogt: It's definitely easier when you don't have the expectation to win Gold and can simply be satisfied with a medal. That was my goal. I knew, that you can't force it and I didn't put too much pressure on myself.
FIS Ski Jumping: It needs a lot of mental strength to show the best performance in moments like these. Do you work with a psychologist or is it simply a strength of yours?
Vogt: We are working with a sports psychologist, but right before a competition I don't want to work that closely with him. I think, I know best what is good for me and I can handle it very well.
FIS Ski Jumping: You already mentioned your first win in the World Cup. How important was that for you?
Vogt: This was a true relief. After Sochi there were people, who said I would be a one-day-wonder. As an athlete, you don't like to hear things like that. That's why it was a big satisfaction.
FIS Ski Jumping: This ladies' World Cup season was a lot more balanced than the last one. What do you think about this development?
Vogt: I think our sport made another huge step forward. The rest of the field closed the gap to Sara Takanashi, it's not that easy for her anymore. The level is now higher. We are on the right track.
FIS Ski Jumping: Some athletes criticized the World Cup calendar and also some decisions of the jury regarding the length of the inrun. What is your opinion?
Vogt: We were simply not satisfied with the calendar. We had too few competitions, there were long breaks. This can't happen. As an athlete you train the whole year and then you have 12 World Cup competitions. Then things happen like in Oberstdorf. We already said that we didn't like what was done there concerning the inrun. It's a pity that it doesn't get much attention. I would want that more regard would be paid to our opinions.
FIS Ski Jumping: What has to be done in ladies' ski jumping? What is the next big step?
Vogt: We actually made many steps forward already. I think that the mixed team competition should be in the calendar two or three times. Maybe also on a large hill. This is very interesting for the spectators. Generally I would want more competitions on a large hill. One must think about if the sport should remain where it is now or if it should be further developed.
FIS Ski Jumping: Let's look ahead. The season is over, what's next? Is it now time for a vacation?
Vogt: We are in Norway now for a few more days to end the season with the team. Then I'll be at home for a couple of days and after that I'll continue my training at the police. This will take five months so I can't think about a vacation now. But this will be possible later. In May our team will start the preparation for the next season.
FIS Ski Jumping: Next season there are no Olympic Games or World Championships. What goals will you set for yourself?
Vogt: After finishing second and third, of course, it's a dream of mine to win the overall World Cup title. But you can hardly plan that. It would be too good to be true, if it would happen already next year. I want to be where I was this year again and jump well.
FIS Ski Jumping: Last question: What headline would you like to read about ladies' ski jumping in the future?
Vogt: Boah, that's difficult. "The ladies' are going ski flying."
FIS Ski Jumping: Is this your big dream?
Vogt: Definitely.
FIS Ski Jumping: How high are the chances that this will happen one day?
Vogt: I'm sure it will happen one day. I just hope that I'll still be able to experience it as an athlete.
Source: fis-ski.com
FIS Ski Jumping: Carina, congratulations on winning the title at the World Championships. The World Cup season is over now, how would you summarize it?
Carina Vogt: I'm very satisfied with my season. It was a big success that I could win a World Cup competition for the first time. Then I was carefree before the World Championships and everything worked out perfectly there. In addition, I was also third in the overall World Cup. All in all it might have been even better than last year.
FIS Ski Jumping: Like at the Olympics, you were among the favorites at this season's highlight. But again others were actually rated higher. Is this role maybe a small advantage?
Vogt: It's definitely easier when you don't have the expectation to win Gold and can simply be satisfied with a medal. That was my goal. I knew, that you can't force it and I didn't put too much pressure on myself.
FIS Ski Jumping: It needs a lot of mental strength to show the best performance in moments like these. Do you work with a psychologist or is it simply a strength of yours?
Vogt: We are working with a sports psychologist, but right before a competition I don't want to work that closely with him. I think, I know best what is good for me and I can handle it very well.
FIS Ski Jumping: You already mentioned your first win in the World Cup. How important was that for you?
Vogt: This was a true relief. After Sochi there were people, who said I would be a one-day-wonder. As an athlete, you don't like to hear things like that. That's why it was a big satisfaction.
FIS Ski Jumping: This ladies' World Cup season was a lot more balanced than the last one. What do you think about this development?
Vogt: I think our sport made another huge step forward. The rest of the field closed the gap to Sara Takanashi, it's not that easy for her anymore. The level is now higher. We are on the right track.
FIS Ski Jumping: Some athletes criticized the World Cup calendar and also some decisions of the jury regarding the length of the inrun. What is your opinion?
Vogt: We were simply not satisfied with the calendar. We had too few competitions, there were long breaks. This can't happen. As an athlete you train the whole year and then you have 12 World Cup competitions. Then things happen like in Oberstdorf. We already said that we didn't like what was done there concerning the inrun. It's a pity that it doesn't get much attention. I would want that more regard would be paid to our opinions.
FIS Ski Jumping: What has to be done in ladies' ski jumping? What is the next big step?
Vogt: We actually made many steps forward already. I think that the mixed team competition should be in the calendar two or three times. Maybe also on a large hill. This is very interesting for the spectators. Generally I would want more competitions on a large hill. One must think about if the sport should remain where it is now or if it should be further developed.
FIS Ski Jumping: Let's look ahead. The season is over, what's next? Is it now time for a vacation?
Vogt: We are in Norway now for a few more days to end the season with the team. Then I'll be at home for a couple of days and after that I'll continue my training at the police. This will take five months so I can't think about a vacation now. But this will be possible later. In May our team will start the preparation for the next season.
FIS Ski Jumping: Next season there are no Olympic Games or World Championships. What goals will you set for yourself?
Vogt: After finishing second and third, of course, it's a dream of mine to win the overall World Cup title. But you can hardly plan that. It would be too good to be true, if it would happen already next year. I want to be where I was this year again and jump well.
FIS Ski Jumping: Last question: What headline would you like to read about ladies' ski jumping in the future?
Vogt: Boah, that's difficult. "The ladies' are going ski flying."
FIS Ski Jumping: Is this your big dream?
Vogt: Definitely.
FIS Ski Jumping: How high are the chances that this will happen one day?
Vogt: I'm sure it will happen one day. I just hope that I'll still be able to experience it as an athlete.
Source: fis-ski.com
