In our interview series "FIS Ski Jumping-Talk" we present talks with ski jumping athletes and officials. Today: Daniela Iraschko-Stolz, 2011 World Champion and overall leader in the ladies' World Cup.

FIS Ski Jumping: Hello Daniela! You already said various times that you are very satisfied with this season so far. Two weeks from now you could be World Champion and overall World Cup winner. Can you still sleep well?

Daniela Iraschko-Stolz: Not anymore. (laughs) When you think about that, it can make you nervous. So far everything went great. If somebody would have told me this in Japan, I probably would not have believed it. Although I was jumping well then, but I had some bad luck. In the competitions after that it went perfectly, now I have a good lead. It would be fantastic if I could win. It has always been my dream to win the overall World Cup. This is the most difficult title to win and it is very important. Of course you are satisfied with the season when you have a lead of 100 points.

FIS Ski Jumping: You are one of the pioneers of ladies' ski jumping and fought to get a ladies' World Cup. Is this trophy now even more important for you?

Iraschko-Stolz: Before there was a World Cup, I actually had my best years in ski jumping. I was jumping consistently and was dominating the competitions. But of course there weren't as many strong athletes and the competitions weren't that tight. I was always fighting for the win with two or three others. I never experienced a situation like this year, with so many girls who can win. This makes it even more important. Of course it would be better if we would have more competitions, but still it's a big title.

FIS Ski Jumping: You said that competitions are very tight this season, especially compared to last year, when Sara Takanashi was dominating. Does this show the development of ladies' ski jumping?

Iraschko-Stolz: Definitely. Everybody was already surprised about how tight it was at the opener in Lillehammer. And also about how many nations were in the Top 30. The qualifications are already very exciting and many different athletes are making the cut. That's the same with the fight for the podium. Of course there are some athletes, who achieve top results more often, just like in the men's competitions. It will always be like that. You can also see a development physically. These are all top athletes, there's nothing unprofessional anymore.

FIS Ski Jumping: Is this growing professionalism the main difference compared to the time when you started ski jumping?

Iraschko-Stolz: It definitely is, this shows in many different fields. Starting with the accommodation and the organization of the competitions. The coaches were good back then as well, but if you see the names, we have now, it shows how important ladies' ski jumping is for the associations. Previously it was more like “let's try something.” Now it's more focused. It's not easy. In many disciplines men's and ladies' developed at the same time, in ski jumping it's like a new sport. That's why it takes a bit longer. It's important that there's also more depth. It has to progress step by step. Maybe we will also get more competitions on the large hill some time. It would also be great to get a ski flying World Cup next year, even if only 20 athletes would be participating. But I also understand the reasons why it's not possible. I'm satisfied with how things are right now. I just hope that we will have a few more competitions.

FIS Ski Jumping: A highlight of the season is the final at the Holmenkollen. Are you already looking forward to it?

Iraschko-Stolz: I experienced the World Championships 2011 in Oslo, and I was successful there. 6000 people were at the victory ceremony. This is great. The people in Scandinavia know how to celebrate the nordic sports and when everyone is competing, the ladies' are part of it as well.

FIS Ski Jumping: About two year's ago you suffered a serious injury, an ACL tear. How sure where you back then that you will return to the hill?

Iraschko-Stolz: At first I was not worried about it at all. It probably was wishful thinking that I just train for six months and then everything will be like it was before. Then I had to fight for the possibility to move again and start jumping again. Of course you make progress and that gives you confidence. I had time until the winter and then I had a good comeback with a second place in Lillehammer. Training is very boring, that's the most difficult thing. You get up every day and work out on the bicycle ergometer. This is not the same as training at the hill. And at the end it will never be like it was before. I will always have problems. You have to accept that and deal with it.

FIS Ski Jumping: You were fighting for ladies' ski jumping as an active athlete. Can you imagine staying involved in the sport as an official after your career?

Iraschko-Stolz: Basically yes. I will do something to stay involved in the sport but I didn't really think about it yet. It's more likely that I'll be working as a coach, I can't really imagine having a job like race director Chika Yoshida. It's a tough fight and not everything is possible. I think that's not my thing.

FIS Ski Jumping: Which headline would you like to read after the season?

Iraschko-Stolz: Good question (laughs). I would prefer “Iraschko sustains no injuries this season”. But the season is almost over already. This time I might make it to Oslo. So: “Iraschko starts in the season's final with the Yellow Bib”. That would be cool.