Silver for Austria’s women in first World Championships ski jumping team competition

With their silver in the women’s team ski jumping event, Daniela Iraschko-Stolz, Eva Pinkelnig, Chiara Hölzl and Jacqueline Seifriedsberger increased Austria’s medal haul at these World Championships to four: two silver and two bronze. “When I crossed the green line I knew that we had done it,” smiled Daniela Iraschko-Stolz. She and her teammates were proud to show off their medals at a reception held at the team hotel. The battle for silver was tough, but in the end their hard work and sacrifices paid off. So what comes next? “I hope that I will have calmed down by tomorrow and manage to relax enough for a good result in the individual competition,” explains Iraschko-Stolz.

 

 

The men’s ski jumping team from Austria had already set a good example for their female colleagues with silver in the team competition. Stefan Kraft and his teammates visited the TirolBerg TV studio to talk about their success and look back on the best moments from a nail-biting competition. “When I passed the 70-metre mark I knew that we had a medal. That was my biggest highlight so far at these World Championships,” explains Kraft. Teammate Daniel Huber found the words to express the huge emotions he and the rest of the team had experienced a few days earlier: “My family, friends and the whole ski club were here to cheer me on – that was a really special feeling.” The team had time for a little celebration after the event before starting to prepare for the rest of the World Championships, explains Michael Hayböck: “Now it’s about resting up and recovering. With the amazing spa facilities here and the beautiful nature all around, Tirol is the perfect place to recharge your batteries.” The fourth member of the team, Philipp Aschenwald, agrees: “We are fit and raring to go for the small hill competition. We can’t wait to compete again!”

 

 

Somebody also looking forward to the next competition at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld is cross-country skier Teresa Stadlober. She popped into the TirolBerg studio for a chat and was more than pleased with her performance earlier in the day: “Considering that a few days ago I didn’t even know if I would be able to race, eighth place is incredible – much more than I would have ever expected.” She will spend the next few days relaxing and getting ready for Saturday. “I am really looking forward to the next competition. The 30km skating suits me. It is a special race.”

 

 Eddie the Eagle – ski jumping legend with big plans

 

The first guest of the day in the TirolBerg TV studio was none other than ski jumping legend Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eagle. The friendly Englishman suffered plenty of setbacks over the course of his long career, but every time he fell down he got up again and carried on. His tips for talented youngsters? “Perseverance is the most important thing. Never give up. Have a go, fall flat on your face – but stand up, dust yourself down and keep going. That’s what it’s all about.” The legend of ski jumping, whose life has been the subject of a Hollywood film, still follows the sport closely and even jumps every now and then. “At the World Team Masters in Seefeld we only had to jump 20 metres using alpine skis, but I loved it. Great conditions, lots of spectators, perfect weather. It was really fantastic.” Eddie the Eagle also let the team at the TirolBerg studio in on a little secret: “I have always had such a good time here in Tirol. I would love to jump one more time on the Bergisel hill in Innsbruck before I finally hang up my skis once and for all.”

 

Download Interview: Link