In our series "FIS Ski Jumping-Talk" we present interviews with ski jumping athletes and officials. Today: Michael Neumayer (36).

Michael Neumayer made his debut in the World Cup in the 2000/01 season, back then he was a teammate of Martin Schmitt and Sven Hannawald. So far he took four wins in World Cup team competitions, won Olympic silver 2010 and three medals in World Championships, also with the team. 2008 Neumayer was third in the 4-Hills-Tournament and this August in Hakuba he took his first ever win in the FIS Grand Prix.

FIS Ski Jumping: Hello Michael, where are we reaching you?

Michael Neumayer: Right now I'm at the outfitting of the German Ski Association for the upcoming season. This is always a bit like Christmas with lots of presents (laughs).

FIS Ski Jumping: So after all these years you are still really enjoying getting the new "working clothes"?

Neumayer: Definitely. This is always a nice appointment. You are always happy when you get such presents and you showed good performances in order to deserve this. And it's also an opportunity to meet many other athletes from the various disciplines and talk about different issues. But I don't even know everyone anymore because many of them are almost 20 years younger than me (laughs).

FIS Ski Jumping: The teams always wear the official outfits at the competitions. What do you get in such a package?

Neumayer: Everything you need in winter, from hats and warm clothes to socks. You are literally equipped from head to toe.

FIS Ski Jumping: Let's talk about last summer. In Hakuba you won your first FIS Grand Prix competition, you were on the podium in the Continental Cup. After that it didn't go that well, in the German nationals you were only 12th. How would you evaluate the past months?

Neumayer: This is already a pretty good summary. It was a difficult summer for me. I decided to continue for one more season, but I also knew that it would not be easy. So I worked a lot in spring, tested a lot of things, especially concerning the equipment. Different skis, different bindings, different boots. This step was a total fail for me. After two and a half months I had to give this idea up and had to learn ski jumping again. Before the start in Wisla I was so far behind that I decided not to compete. Although it was only four weeks until then, I was jumping well again at the Grand Prix in Hakuba. In this phase I was jumping better than I have been in three years. Unfortunately I lost the relaxed attitude and joy again soon. The last time I was jumping well was in the first COC in Stams when I was third. After that it was more fight than pleasure. This shows that it doesn't work if you try to force it. With the results recently I could also not recommend myself for a spot on the team at the World Cup opening.

FIS Ski Jumping: With all your experience, do you have an explanation why there can be such a difference in the performances from one day to the next?

Neumayer: In the first competition in Stams I was third, but 20 points behind the winner. I didn't see any big mistakes in my jumps but I had the expectations to win in the Continental Cup. As an established athlete with lots of experience in the World Cup. It was the wrong decision to compete there instead of keep working continuously. I tried to force it. That went wrong, even if I should have known it better.

FIS Ski Jumping: Did you think about not continuing your career for this season?

Neumayer: No, definitely not. I have been thinking about ending my career for a longer time. But now, before the winter, after I have been working for the whole summer, I will not give up. Now I have to do what I already did in summer: Learn ski jumping again. I will probably start the winter in the COC and hope that I can get the relaxed attitude and fun back until the 4-Hills-Tournament and recommend myself again. Then we will see. But after the 4-Hills I will definitely not say "thanks, you'll never see me again". I want to say good-bye in style.

FIS Ski Jumping: Does this mean that you'll definitely retire after the next season? Or can it happen that you decide you want to compete in World Championships again, if the shape is good?

Neumayer: The second option is correct. You never know. It can go very fast in this sport. Late July I thought I'm light years away. Mid August I suddenly won a Grand Prix. I'm not used to these huge steps between good and bad and back. I have always been a very consistent athlete. Without outstanding results, but consistent. When it went bad I was 25th, when it went good I was tenth. Currently this difference is a lot bigger.

FIS Ski Jumping: Jumpers over the age of 35 always get the inevitable question about Noriaki Kasai. Can you imagine to still jump when you are 42 years old?

Neumayer: (laughs) Over 40 I'll just be jumping for fun, if the suit will still fit. I will definitely not be an active ski jumper by then.

FIS Ski Jumping: Can you understand that Noriaki is not quitting?

Neumayer: I totally understand him. He still shows performances that justify it. This sport is extremely fun if you can do it and are doing it well. If I would be so successful at that age I'll probably do the same thing. The life as an athlete is definitely more interesting than a normal working routine, when you go to the office at 7 am and return home in the evening. It's a different life. You have to enjoy traveling, but everyone how's in this sport has no problem accepting that.

FIS Ski Jumping: You are a fan of Japan. Is it a goal for you to compete in a World Cup in Japan again?

Neumayer: This is a very big goal. I have a very positive attitude towards Japan, that's probably why it always went that well for me there. Many athletes don't like the long trip, I'm very relaxed about that. The competitions are nice, everything is perfectly organized, you don't have to worry about a thing. I like the people in Japan, the atmosphere. Of course the field is a bit smaller most of the time because some top stars skip these competitions. Some are afraid that the long trip might not be good for the shape. I always thought that, if the Japanese can spend the whole year in Europe, we have to go to Japan for a week and present ourselves there.

FIS Ski Jumping: What do you think is possible for the German team next winter?

Neumayer: They definitely did a good job in summer. At the German Championships it became obvious that Severin Freund is a bit ahead of the rest. He is definitely one of the prime contenders for top results.

FIS Ski Jumping: And you will try to challenge the youngsters a bit?

Neumayer: Yes, to make it a bit difficult for them. Maybe I can also help the one or the other young jumper, especially from the second group. This has already been kind of my role over the past years and I could pass on my experiences. Some of the jumpers also benefited from it. I will also not have a problem with helping a bit in the future if somebody approaches me.

FIS Ski Jumping: Last question: Is there a headline that you would still like to read about yourself in your career in sports?

Neumayer: I'm not that type of guy who is eager to be present in the media, so I don't have to read anything about myself. I would like to have a good winter again and end my very nice career in style one day. This is very important for me. I don't care that much anymore about what the media writes. Previously I tried to do a research on it, right now I don't really care. I want to enjoy my sport again, with what my body is still capable of doing. Then it's not that important if you are tenth or third. You have to be at ease with yourself.

FIS Ski Jumping: We cross our fingers and hope that we can see you competing in the World Cup again in a good shape.

Neumayer: Normally I would say, that I promise that. But we will see what happens (laughs).

Source: fis-ski.com