In our series "FIS Ski Jumping-Talk" we present interviews with ski jumping athletes and officials. Today: Michael Hayboeck (24).

Michael Hayboeck made his debut in the World Cup during the 4-Hills-Tournament 2009/10. The four-time Junior World Champion was on the podium in individual competitions in the World Cup eight times so far, he took his only win in the final event of the 4-Hills-Tournament 2015 in Bischofshofen and came in second in the overall ranking of the 4-HIlls behind his teammate Stefan Kraft. At the Olympic Games in Sochi and at the Nordic World Championships in Falun he won silver with the Austrian team. Last weekend Hayboeck achieved the first podium result for his team this winter with a second place in Nizhny Tagil.

FIS Ski Jumping: Michael, congratulations on being on the podium in Nizhny Tagil. How relieved are you now?

Michael Hayboeck: It's a big relief for me. Because I got better and better already in Lillehammer. Then the first day in Russia was a setback with the 28th place. But I remained calm, because the conditions were very bad for both jumps. Finishing second a day later is a great confirmation for what is possible with two good jumps. This is very important and a great success for me. Of course, for the whole team as well. Because they see how fast it went for me and they know that they can do the same.

FIS Ski Jumping: There was quite harsh, and sometimes also exaggerated, criticism in Austria after four individual competitions with a podium result. Where you as a team nervous or did you always know that you are on the right track?

Hayboeck: This didn't make me nervous at all. As an athlete I don't really care what the media writes. We knew that we trained well and that we are working very hard. In the past years we had a generation change and this is not completed yet. It can't be expected that we still take one win after the other. We are working hard and we hope that we can be that good again soon. We are definitely very happy with our coach Heinz Kuttin.

FIS Ski Jumping: Last weekend there were some discussions about the wind, some jumpers really had bad luck. What is your opinion about this issue?

Hayboeck: I do understand this criticism. On the first day I had bad luck and lost many places. At the same time I experienced a day later that it evens out. I also jumped a lot better, but you also need the luck. I'm sure that first and foremost all the jumpers were happy that both large hill competitions could take place. We couldn't compete at all in Kuusamo, in Lillehammer we jumped on the normal hill twice. Everyone was happy that we could jump and it will always be the case that some have more luck than others.

FIS Ski Jumping: How much do you envy Miran Tepes for his job?

Hayboeck: (laughs) Not at all. This would definitely not be a job for me. Especially if my own son would be competing as well.

FIS Ski Jumping: And his son Jurij had the worst conditions. Do you think about stuff like that?

Hayboeck: Not really. I saw the situation and noticed that it was him again. Obviously the situation is not that easy for both of them, but it makes no difference which jumper is sitting on the starting bar.

FIS Ski Jumping: There's only one competition weekend in Engelberg left before the 4-Hills-Tournament. What are your goals for the weekend?

Hayboeck: We want to try to get some positive emotions out of the second place and take it to Engelberg with us. I want to follow up on my performance there. As a team, we want to present ourselves stronger. This would be important.

FIS Ski Jumping: For the last eight years the Austrians had an incredible winning streak at the 4-Hills-Tournament. How do you handle this before the event? Do you want to complete the "ten" or can you be a little bit more relaxed after so many successes?

Hayboeck: You can look at it either way. First we focus on Engelberg in order to be as well prepared as possible for the 4-Hills-Tournament. The 4-Hills, especially the competitions at home in Austria, always unleashes additional strengths. This is hard to explain, but this could be our advantage.

FIS Ski Jumping: How optimistic are you that there will be an Austrian winner again?

Hayboeck: Very optimistic. I've already been told that it would be my turn now (laughs). I didn't really think about it so far, because everything has to work out perfectly. But I also know that we have various athletes who can do it. It doesn't matter if it's me, Stefan Kraft or somebody else. You also never know what about Gregor. Maybe he will return in a very strong shape. We definitely want to use the home ground advantage.

FIS Ski Jumping: Speaking about home ground advantage. After the 4-Hills-Tournament and a short stop in Wilingen, the season will continue with the Ski Flying World Championships in Austria. How much are you looking forward to this event?

Hayboeck: Very much. I still have childhood memories of the 1996 World Championships at the Kulm, when Andi Goldberger took the title. Back then I was a five-year-old boy sitting on my fathers shoulders and I remember it exactly. So it's somehow a childhood dream of mine to compete there as well. The atmosphere will be amazing and time will fly until then. There's no time to rest.

FIS Ski Jumping: The last short break will be over Christmas. How will you spend this time?

Hayboeck: Definitely at home with my family. I'm a family person and I'm really looking forward to it. I like Christmas, the good food, visiting relatives. I don't get to do that very often, especially not in winter. It will be a few quiet days before I'll be on the road for a longer time again.

FIS Ski Jumping: Last question: Six weeks form now a very important part of the season will already be over. Which headline would you like to read about the Austrian ski jumpers late January?

Hayboeck: I would like to read that we are stronger again as a team. And that the media understands that Heinz Kuttin is a good coach for us. He doesn't have the best standing and some already want Alex Pointner back. But we are very happy with Heinz and we like working with him.

Source: fis-ski.com