He put his Olympic disappointment to one side with both the Parallel Giant Slalom and overall FIS World Cup Snowboard titles, but Austrian Benny Karl tells us how love and marriage, flying solo and home foods are also rocking his world.
1) He’s proud, but he’s big enough to admit his mistakes:
“I am incredibly proud of myself. I have achieved everything that I’ve made up my mind to do. At the Olympic Winter Games, I made a stupid mistake, so that I missed my chance of gold. My goal was, of course, to be Olympic champion.”
2) His FIS Snowboard World Cup season did have its consolations, however:
“It’s just unbelievable. I’m stoked to have both [Crystal] Globes again.”
3) His approach to success is manifold:
“A number of factors play an important role. You have to prepare very well physically, and if you are on the slope, you should not be nervous. There’s also your equipment – I changed the material my snowboard is made from this year.”
4) He’s using his personal air miles wisely:
“Among my other appointments coming up, I have to complete a few more hours of flight by propeller plane so that my pilot licence does not expire.”
5) Absence makes the heart grow fonder:
“I’ve rarely seen my girlfriend Nina Grissmann, though she visited me in Vancouver and supported me. It’s the same every season. But we did talk every day to each other.”
'Apple strudel with vanilla sauce from my grandma, I think, is just divine'
6) Nina makes him whole:
“It’s very nice living with Nina. I feel comfortable in her presence. I just turn off with her and leave all the stress behind me. Sometimes we quarrel, but that’s just like every relationship. We complement each other. She is not as sporty as me, but I can get her motivated. She is currently in full climbing fever!”
7) Wedding bells are gonna chime:
“Have I ever thought of getting married? Yes, we have been thinking seriously about it. It should happen soon, but a date is not fixed yet.”
8) After time on the circuit, he likes coming back to divine home cooking:
“Nina is a very good cook. I really love risotto and I am a passionate meat eater. I really like steak with pepper sauce and the traditional Austrian meal Kasnocken [small dumplings and melted cheese]. Also, Apple strudel with vanilla sauce from my grandma, I think, is just divine.
9) There are barely enough hours in his day for all the activity:
“If you live in Austria, you can do so many sports. In my spare time, I hardly do anything else! [Laughs.] I like to climb high mountains and go canoeing. My great passion is also travelling and biking. I am always thrilled when I can jet around on my motorbike. I love the speed, the winding mountain slopes and the feeling of freedom.”
10) He knows where he’s going and where he wants to be:
“Next year, I want to arrive home with a double victory at the World Cup and some medals. In 10 years, I will look back at a super sports career, being champion of the Olympic Winter Games. I think I will be married and have two children, and I will still live in Austria. I’m always glad when I’m at home.”
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