Wellinger in the interview: Just bake small breads

At the Olympics in Pyongyang 2018 Andreas Welling er was obvious. The Bayer — already in 2014 team Olympic champion — won gold from the normal skating and twice silver. Followed two depths: In the summer of 2019, the ski jersey from the SC Upholding at training in Hollenbach moved into a cruciate ligament tear, in the spring 2020 followed a key leg break while surfing in Australia. Now the 1.84 meter athlete is ready for altitude flights — in the new World Cup season from this weekend in Russian Ninny Tail, which peaks in the four-headed tour and the Olympics in Beijing.

Mr. Welling er, is your injured knee completely fine again?

What is a hurt knee?

The right in which the cruciate ligament was torn.

My knee is fine, thats why I asked. Luckily, I do not have to worry about that.

They had said they could only be ready for jumping when the head can stand. So is the head ready?

The head is fully ready.

In addition to training in rehab, did you do something for your head?

It is a combination of rehab, mental attitudes and success experiences that you always have and needs. I like to describe it: No matter which injury, the hard drive must be deleted and re-described. A new file overwrites an old one when the message is positive. Either with wide jumps or with the first time again on the ski jump. In my case, it was the jumps with whom I have contacted the Hillside or jumped over it. They give a security that the subject injury is pushed further into the background.

You completed your last competition in the World Cup on 31 December 2020 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. At that time they could not qualify for the New Years jumping. Wanted too early, because the results were already sobering?

No, it was not that way. That the results were sobering, is still beautifully formulated. I say how it was: the results were part... point. The knee was never the topic, but it was a more technical approach. Neither the coach nor I had a statement why it did not work.

If you feel the feeling is the beginning of the downward spiral.

Andreas Welling er

Did you, because ski jumping permanently developed, change a lot to your jump?

That was one of many factors that played in the last year. In the year when I had to pause, new suits came, the wedges have changed. Thats why I had to work up something. I just needed a little to get the right feeling again to play my strengths. If you feel the feeling, this is the beginning of the downward spiral. At some point the jump is no longer working, and at some point all the set-up of body, mind and material does not fit together. This is a very sensitive topic in the ski jump, which we often can not explain ourselves.

In summer, the results have voted again. How big is your anticipation of the new season?

We have an extremely horny season ahead of us, Im on the ski jump on a good way. I also knew last year when it did not run so why ski jumping makes me so much fun.

Of course I would like to defend the title, but it is not explicitly my goal now.

Andreas Welling er

A highlight are next to the four-headed tour of the Olympic Games. In Pyongyang 2018, they have gained gold on the normal hill. What feelings come up in the memory of them?

Many and very emotional. It was the biggest success I was allowed to celebrate so far. That shaped me as a human, as a sportsman. At the same time, it is a result where I will measure in the future. Of course, I would like to defend the title, but it is not explicitly my goal now.

So what?

Until then, there are many hurdles to skip. My goal is to come to the team first to develop myself about the competitions stability and to collect World Acupoints. For quite sober, I did not get a single World Cup point last winter, so first had to bake small bread rolls and come in the competitions in the automatism to retrieve my level of performance. The next goal is then to drive to Beijing. What the goal is for Olympia, we can talk about it at the beginning of February.

What thoughts come to you if you think of Olympic Winter Games in Beijing?

A difficult topic. As a sporty, I have the problem that if I want to attend Olympic Games, I have to drive where Olympia takes place. That the games are no longer forgiven only after sporting criteria is also clear. In political decision-making processes I do not put in there. If I qualify, my third Olympic Games and the third time would be in a country where the winter sports tradition is manageable. It is a pity and sad that no longer the sport is the focus.

If I would qualify, that would be my third Olympic Games in a country where the winter sports tradition is manageable.

Andreas Welling er

What have you learned about yourself in recent years?

I am basically a positive person. Thats why I would say that more positive things remain in memory than negative. I had to deal with my body and learn again. The last time we dealt with walking as a toddler. And how thats expired, we know about anything anymore.

Nevertheless, it worked, they put a foot in front of the others.

Yes. (smiles) Of course I could make the year differently. I can feel what I can not do in my normal everyday life. I was going to ski tours with friends in Norway. Furthermore, I was in Kitzbühel and looked at the departure race on the streak. Nevertheless, I thought every day: Damn, the boys are somewhere when exercising or competitive. And I can not be there.

Andreas Welling er with his four Olympic and three World Cup medals. Imago / Sammy mink off

How hard is you liked to watch, when Karl Geiger and Markus Ironbichler are started?

The only thing he Aegean has been that I was not there. Otherwise, it was incredibly cool to see what the Karl have delivered very specifically, but also the ice cream. Above all, as the machine Karl has delivered the competitions, often out of nothing.

They fly not only from the ski jump, but also an airplane. Do you already have the ticket?

Flying the passion is available, the ticket is a hobby that has no priority. With the theory, Im as good as flying hours I have made a few lately because I have aligned my daily routine to the ski jumping. If I have time at short notice, then the flight instructor must have time, the weather must fit, a machine must be available. When Im done? We can talk about that next summer.

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Where is the great passion of many ski jumpers to fly with a plane or helicopter?

It is the combination of air, lightness and the feeling of freedom. So what we have exactly the same for ski jumping, but far too short. You can enjoy this much more in an airplane.

What does your BWL study do?

This continues, much like the ticket. Priority has the ski jumping. During the rehab I could complete my practical semester in the Red Bull Training Center in Thalia. I was alternately in the office in the morning and in the afternoon. Two thirds of the exam services I have behind me. Ill be closer to the destination straight. Of course, I have been studying a long time. But what about me? I want to do something for the head and build something for my time.

Also read: Super Winter, DSV Chances, Fans: Stick to the World Cup season in ski jumping