„WE’RE FRIENDS, ALMOST LIKE A FAMILY.”
Although (born in 1990) Gregor Schlierenzauer can hardly be classed as an “oldie”, he has in the course of his career won almost everything there is to be won: Olympic gold medals, World Championships, overall victories in World Cups and successes in the Four Hills Tournament. “High quality and trust” is what he associates with Fischer. “We’re friends, almost like a family.” His vision of what comes after top-class sport: growing old as the father of a family, contented, healthy and with a job.
What has always attracted you to ski jumping?
The bird’s-eye view.
You’re also a very good Alpine skier. What tipped the balance in favour of becoming a ski jumper?
Airspace. I wanted to be a high-flyer. (grins)
How and when did you first make contact with Fischer?
Fischer was at my side from the start, and second to none in the skiing circus, too. So it was only natural for us to cooperate, and it works extremely well.
How much do the skis influence the quality of your jumping?
A great deal, obviously. They’re my aerofoils and play a part in steering. And without them landing couldn’t possibly work.
What do you associate with Fischer?
High quality and trust. We’re friends, almost like a family.
How would you describe your relationship with Fischer?
Professional, honest and – I have to say it again – friendly.
What was your greatest experience as an athlete to date?
That’s really hard to say, since I’ve been privileged to experience so many fantastic things. The tournament victories, the Kulm record of 215.5 metres, the World Champion title in Oslo, the day I overtook Matti Nykänen in terms of World Cup wins, or the medals in Vancouver – that was all awesome, and that’s not even the whole story.
What means more to you: victory in the overall World Cup, or a gold medal at a major event?
The overall World Cup is a demonstration of consistency at the top level. To win a gold medal you have to deliver peak performance on the day in question. Neither of them is easy to achieve but both of them definitely have a certain appeal.
Where do you get the energy to refuel your motivation, even though you’ve already won so many times?
I’m deeply in love with ski jumping. I’ve made my passion my profession, and want to do as good a job as possible. I still see so much potential – that excites me and spurs me on.
What is the ultimate goal you’ve set yourself as an athlete and in private life?
To stay the way I am – as an athlete and privately.
How do you envisage your life after your sporting career?
Growing old as the father of a family, contented, healthy and with a job, in other words: wonderful.
Does any particular anecdote occur to you in connection with Fischer, that you’d like to share with us?
Not an anecdote, but a curtain call for Franz Neuländtner (representing several people) – he’s “Mr Fischer” for me. In 1986 he was World Champion in ski flying, so he knows his stuff, and he’s as sly as a fox. He makes the skis just the way you want them.
