Interview with myself Part 2

Le Loup au Canada: Ski jumping has been an important part of your life for the last four years. What are you trying to do now? Will it be difficult? What have you achieved in the last four years?

Wolfgang:

Achievements so far:

Passed an exam in Stams to become a ski jumping instructor without any previous experience. After that, I realised how important it is to have personal experience in order to help other people improve. Other highlights include attending two World Championships. And next year, four years after I started in the sport, I will be able to go to my first Winter Olympics as a volunteer. A few athletes from the World Cup team know me. I never would have thought this possible, and I couldn't have imagined anything better in my wildest dreams.

Timetable until the trip:

Until then, I will try to attend all events, from regional events to my second Ski Flying World Championships and first Winter Olympics. During the trip, there may be an opportunity to help out at one or two events with the Canadian Ski Jumping Association. I am already in contact with the ski jumping division manager and a former volunteer colleague from Trondheim who also comes from Canada. I could well imagine ending this trip in Planica at the end of the 2026/27 season, but please don't pin me down on that just yet. It will remain an important part of my life before, during and after. Without ski jumping, I wouldn't be so interested in events and volunteering..

Le Loup au Canada: What did you learn from this? What do you think will help you now?

Wolfgang:

I learned to leave my comfort zone when I moved from the Waldviertel to Innsbruck. I was also challenged in Trondheim, where I was the only volunteer who was allowed to walk with crampons right next to the inrun track.

The biggest setback was when I wanted to fulfil my childhood dream of ski jumping myself. In Villach, I suffered a broken nose and bruised teeth while skiing down the outrun, which also marked the end of this adventure.

From my own experience and the coaching course, I learned how to train in a structured way. I am increasingly finding myself in the top 20-30 in the overall rankings and in the top 10 in my age category. In running competitions organised by a wide variety of organisers. It's OK when dreams change, because in life new doors always open when others close. Today, I am no longer the person who wanted to become a ski jumper. Instead, I have the opportunity to volunteer at the next Olympic Games – an achievement I would probably never have achieved as an active athlete. Setbacks have helped me grow. And perhaps that is exactly what allows me to pursue new dreams today.

Part 3 will come on 15.08.

Part 4 will come on 22.08.