Around the World
„I believe I can get the first place next season!“
If medals would be given away for the stealthiest approach to becoming a Nordic Combined „big name“, the gold would certainly go to Akito Watabe from Japan. With his characteristic quiet and very humble demeanor, the 27-year-old still speaks about his competitors as „the champions“, all while having an Olympic silver medal and 7 World Cup victories to his name. After another „low key“ season without a major medal but with 5 podium results and a finish as second in the overall World Cup, Watabe speaks about his view on the past season, winning the World Cup overall and his memories of the home World Cup in Sapporo in this new edition of TUESDAY TALK.
Looking back on the last season, you had a few ups and downs: no medals at the World Championships in Falun but a great finish of the season and the overall second rank in the World Cup again. How happy are you with the season of 2014/15?
Akito Watabe: I have no medal from the World Championships, that's right. But I know how to deal with my emotions after taking no medal in a "big game". In Falun was not as disappointed as in Val di Fiemme in 2013. I didn’t have enough training in the summer time and so I didn’t expect to have my best performance in winter. But I got the 3rd place in the TRIPLE and two victories after the World Championships. And finally I finished the season with the 2nd place in the overall. It was a surprisingly good season, way better than I expected. Maybe be it means I’m getting stronger? (laughs)
In the past four seasons, you have always ranked second or third in the overall World Cup standings, indicating a remarkable consistency in your performances. Do you think you can you finally challenge the others for the first place in the next winter?
Watabe: Four seasons ago, I was chasing Jason’s back. And in the past three seasons, I was chasing Eric’s back. I was just the first or second loser behind the champions. From my point of view, team Japan and myself have done a good job in the last four seasons because we are a small team from Far East and always fight against bigger teams. Of course I feel that there are opportunities to get better and improve my performance. I believe I can get the first place in the next winter. I will certainly do my best. We will see!
With the podium at Sapporo, you probably had a very special moment in your home country this winter. Tell us a little bit about how you experienced the first World Cup weekend on Japanese ground after a long while.
Watabe: That was a very special moment. My families and friends and many spectators were coming to stadium and cheering us on. It was a special chance for them to watch the World Cup “live”. Also I was happy to see that many of the other athletes were enjoying Japan.
I was very excited to have a home World Cup. But at the same time, it was the most hectic weekend in last season. I finished in 11th on Friday and I think every spectator was a bit disappointed in my race, so I was very nervous on Saturday morning. I tried to do everything carefully and tried to have a positive attitude about it. Finally I got on the podium and got to share happiness with my family, friends and the Japanese fans. It was great to realize how happy everybody was with the home game podium.
Do you already know if you’ll be attending the Summer Grand Prix this year?
Watabe: To 99% I will be there!
Which training camps are on schedule next for the Japanese team?
Watabe: We started a training camp at this past Sunday until Tuesday. We will have three more camps before Summer Grand prix but didn’t make a final decision about going there yet.
Looking back on the last season, you had a few ups and downs: no medals at the World Championships in Falun but a great finish of the season and the overall second rank in the World Cup again. How happy are you with the season of 2014/15?
Akito Watabe: I have no medal from the World Championships, that's right. But I know how to deal with my emotions after taking no medal in a "big game". In Falun was not as disappointed as in Val di Fiemme in 2013. I didn’t have enough training in the summer time and so I didn’t expect to have my best performance in winter. But I got the 3rd place in the TRIPLE and two victories after the World Championships. And finally I finished the season with the 2nd place in the overall. It was a surprisingly good season, way better than I expected. Maybe be it means I’m getting stronger? (laughs)
In the past four seasons, you have always ranked second or third in the overall World Cup standings, indicating a remarkable consistency in your performances. Do you think you can you finally challenge the others for the first place in the next winter?
Watabe: Four seasons ago, I was chasing Jason’s back. And in the past three seasons, I was chasing Eric’s back. I was just the first or second loser behind the champions. From my point of view, team Japan and myself have done a good job in the last four seasons because we are a small team from Far East and always fight against bigger teams. Of course I feel that there are opportunities to get better and improve my performance. I believe I can get the first place in the next winter. I will certainly do my best. We will see!
With the podium at Sapporo, you probably had a very special moment in your home country this winter. Tell us a little bit about how you experienced the first World Cup weekend on Japanese ground after a long while.
Watabe: That was a very special moment. My families and friends and many spectators were coming to stadium and cheering us on. It was a special chance for them to watch the World Cup “live”. Also I was happy to see that many of the other athletes were enjoying Japan.
I was very excited to have a home World Cup. But at the same time, it was the most hectic weekend in last season. I finished in 11th on Friday and I think every spectator was a bit disappointed in my race, so I was very nervous on Saturday morning. I tried to do everything carefully and tried to have a positive attitude about it. Finally I got on the podium and got to share happiness with my family, friends and the Japanese fans. It was great to realize how happy everybody was with the home game podium.
Do you already know if you’ll be attending the Summer Grand Prix this year?
Watabe: To 99% I will be there!
Which training camps are on schedule next for the Japanese team?
Watabe: We started a training camp at this past Sunday until Tuesday. We will have three more camps before Summer Grand prix but didn’t make a final decision about going there yet.
Source: fis-ski.com
