For some seasons, Switzerland’s Tim Hug has been fighting a lonely fight without any teammates following in his footsteps. For the upcoming winter, the 28-year-old wanted a break from the routine of the last years and a new challenge. A new study program helped to find a new perspective on life and his sport. TUESDAY TALK has all the details.

After the last season, you were considering to end your career. What were the main factors in the decision to continue with Nordic Combined?

Tim Hug: Yes, that’s right. I needed some time to figure out how I wanted my life to look like. I especially wanted to go beyond the routine of the past years and I was looking for a new challenge. In the end, I found a study program that I can combine with my sport well. At the same time, I was convinced that I can still get better in what I do. These were the decisive factors in my decision to continue.

You mentioned your new study program. What exactly will you be doing?

Hug: Actually, it started already. I’ve been „back to school“ for the past six weeks. The program is called „Renewable energies and environmental technology“. I am studying part time and I can decide how many module I would like to do each semester myself. Of course this means long days but until now, everything’s going really well.

After your first World Cup victory in Chaikovskiy in the winter of 2013/14, the last season was more of an up and down and probably not always easy for you. Which goals did you set for the upcoming winter?

Hug: That’s correct, the last season was a bit tough, I was battling some illnesses and so it truly was an up and down. In spite of that I had some good results now and then. In the next winter, I would like to constantly show these good results so that a top result might be possible now and then.

The World Cup opener in Ruka has not really been your favourite place in the past few winters. Why is it so special and how to you see your chances in this year?

Hug: Yes, in the past two years Ruka certainly didn’t go as I wished but I also had really good results here before and I actually quite like it. The special thing is that you have no idea where you stand at the season opener. On top of that, the hill is very unique. It is very cool if you are in good shape and quite difficult if your self-confidence is not 100% where it should be yet.

I was able to train very well this summer and as I said, I’ve had good results here before, so I’ll definitely travel there with confidence.

This week, we’ve seen some pictures of you, preparing at the Dachstein glacier. What else is on your schedule until the World Cup start?

Hug: I will very probably train at home for a some time before we start looking for some snow. Where exactly we will go will be decided by the snow conditions.

Source: fis-ski.com