At just 20 years old, Austrian Gregor Schlierenzauer is already the most successful ski-flyer in history, with a devoted following around the world. We catch up with the high flyer who always manages to keep down to Earth.
Gregor, you turned 20 on January 7. What was your favourite gift?
A knife. It’s a Japanese Hocho knife, the steel has been folded 36 times and you can cut yourself by just looking at it. But I love cooking, so it’s the perfect present.
Which of your ski-flying victories took you the most by surprise?
I would say the World Cup in Oberstdorf in 2008. My training jumps were not very promising at all. Still I managed a turn-around during the competition and became world champion. It was a unique experience.
What was the most painful experience in your career so far?
I busted an intra-articular ligament during training and testing new skis just after the last season. I was trying to top my results and suffered a fall: it resulted in days of pain and months of physiotherapy.
If you weren’t a professional ski jumper, what would you be doing for a living?
Probably design. I have always been fascinated with style and shapes, be it in fashion, interior decoration, photography or films.
You’re also a gifted photographer in your own right. Which photographers do you admire the most?
Sven Hoffmann. He does a lot of black and white photography with a bit of retro feel to it. He focuses on the small details that we tend to overlook in daily life and makes you marvel at them.
So you’re good with your hands. How much do you use your hands when jumping?
Depends on your take-off. If you came off the table clear and nice, it doesn’t matter much. But if your take-off was not perfect, it’s possible to gain a couple of metres by shifting your hands behind the back. But not many jumpers are able to do that ...
You are deaf in your left ear. Does that affect your balance?
Thankfully it doesn’t because I was born that way. So I had a lot of time to adjust. (smiles)
Most ski-jumpers and ski-flyers seem to be fairly disciplined. Does anyone have to kick you up the backside from time to time?
(Laughs) No. I’ve always had a lot of self discipline, so nobody’s ever had to push me to get out of bed and start training.
You have fans all over the world, and some of them can get quite hysterical. Do you find that hard to understand?
I can understand the passion that goes with it. I am young and very successful, still I’m a grounded and natural. That appeals to many people.
Have you ever had a hero yourself?
I’m not sure. Of course I had my idols, like Janne Ahonen, but I would never have appeared in front of his house at three in the morning chanting his name.
Have you had fans do that to you?
It’s not that extreme in Austria, but it can get that way in Poland, where the crowd is already screaming in front of the hotel 12 hours before the actual event.
Does anything make you lose your cool, and if so, how do you calm down?
I can lose my cool if too many things are hailing or when too many people want something from me at the same time. I get it back by listening to music or taking photos. If nothing helps, I retreat to the infrared sauna.
Infrared sauna? That sounds mysterious.
It’s like a Finnish sauna, but instead of hot air around you, it uses infrared rays to walm you. It’s my favourite way of relaxating between competition and it’s actually getting popular in public saunas as well.
You mentioned your Japanese knife at the beginning. What kind of food do you like to cook?
Asian dishes: wok-fried veggies, steak or chicken with pineapple, one of my latest passions.
And are you any good at preparing romantic dinners?
If I have a lady friend as a guest I try to pull all registers. Decoration, candle light, soft music, all that. In case she’s a vegetarian I have got to have alternatives in my pantry: everything from tofu to pancakes with whipped cream and raspberries. I’m prepared for anything.
Sven Hoffmann/Red Bull Photofiles
Catch up with Gregor Schlierenzauer, and for action from the slopes, visit Red Bull Skiing.
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