Around the World
„I hope to be sitting on the bar with lots of confidence!“
22-year-old Mario Seidl was one of the big surprises of the 2015 Summer Grand Prix. With a second, fourth, first and third rank, the young hopeful suddenly ascended among the aspirants for the overall Summer Grand Prix winner title before a 15th place in the last competition in Oberstdorf destroyed his ambitions. Still, he made a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with and set his very first individual victory. High time to find out what he has to say about his crazy summer ride in this new edition of TUESDAY TALK.
With the Summer Grand Prix in the past now, you surely had some time to reflect about it. Are you rather sad because it was „only“ a fourth place in the overall standings in the end or happy because you were able to be a part of the very top group of athletes?
Mario Seidl: Right after the finish line in Oberstdorf, I was a bit mad, I have to admit. Looking at it now, I have more positive feelings.
Your first individual victory in the highest category of Nordic Combined was probably a big moment, too. And to win in front of the home crowd, does it ger any better than that?
Seidl: Yes, this day just went perfectly for me. It’s always really special to compete with the home crowd present. That I was able to get my first individual win on exactly that day makes me so proud.
Up until now, you were rather known as a stronger ski jumper and then lost time and ranks on the track. This looked differently during the summer. Would you say you have taken a step forward in the cross-country sector?
Seidl: Yes, I have invested quite a lot into my cross-country performance in the last few years. Maybe the jumping suffered a little for it. But during the Summer Grand Prix, I was able to show good performances in both parts.
What can we expect of Mario Seidl in the upcoming winter?
Seidl: I hope that I can take my great shape into the wintertime and also show good performances then. I would like to be in the fight for the podium ranks with the best of the best.
With two prominent retirements and new coaching staff, quite some things have changed in the Austrian team. How comfortable are you with the new structure?
Seidl: I am feeling very comfortable with our new coaches. You can notice that we are doing good work in both disciplines and the training is well-coordinated. The atmosphere in the team has been really fantastic, especially after our double-victory in the Team Sprint in Oberwiesenthal.
At the end of this interview, a short look ahead to the first World Cup competition of the 2015/16 winter in Ruka. As a talented ski jumper, this should be right to your taste: a large, very special hill and demanding conditions… you really have to be able to jump on a good level there. What do you expect of this weekend?
Seidl: The hill in Ruka really is something special. If your jumping shape is on a good level, you can get a good starting position for the race. Last year, I almost had a crash during the training due to a strong gust of wind, so I was pretty unsettled. This time, I hope to be sitting on the bar in Ruka with a lot of confidence and new equipment.
With the Summer Grand Prix in the past now, you surely had some time to reflect about it. Are you rather sad because it was „only“ a fourth place in the overall standings in the end or happy because you were able to be a part of the very top group of athletes?
Mario Seidl: Right after the finish line in Oberstdorf, I was a bit mad, I have to admit. Looking at it now, I have more positive feelings.
Your first individual victory in the highest category of Nordic Combined was probably a big moment, too. And to win in front of the home crowd, does it ger any better than that?
Seidl: Yes, this day just went perfectly for me. It’s always really special to compete with the home crowd present. That I was able to get my first individual win on exactly that day makes me so proud.
Up until now, you were rather known as a stronger ski jumper and then lost time and ranks on the track. This looked differently during the summer. Would you say you have taken a step forward in the cross-country sector?
Seidl: Yes, I have invested quite a lot into my cross-country performance in the last few years. Maybe the jumping suffered a little for it. But during the Summer Grand Prix, I was able to show good performances in both parts.
What can we expect of Mario Seidl in the upcoming winter?
Seidl: I hope that I can take my great shape into the wintertime and also show good performances then. I would like to be in the fight for the podium ranks with the best of the best.
With two prominent retirements and new coaching staff, quite some things have changed in the Austrian team. How comfortable are you with the new structure?
Seidl: I am feeling very comfortable with our new coaches. You can notice that we are doing good work in both disciplines and the training is well-coordinated. The atmosphere in the team has been really fantastic, especially after our double-victory in the Team Sprint in Oberwiesenthal.
At the end of this interview, a short look ahead to the first World Cup competition of the 2015/16 winter in Ruka. As a talented ski jumper, this should be right to your taste: a large, very special hill and demanding conditions… you really have to be able to jump on a good level there. What do you expect of this weekend?
Seidl: The hill in Ruka really is something special. If your jumping shape is on a good level, you can get a good starting position for the race. Last year, I almost had a crash during the training due to a strong gust of wind, so I was pretty unsettled. This time, I hope to be sitting on the bar in Ruka with a lot of confidence and new equipment.
Source: fis-ski.com
