portrait: Severin Freund - the calm and successful
The 26-year old German from WSV Rastbüchl, already celebrated 3 victories in the 2014/15 season (in Nizhny Tagil, Bad Mitterndorf and Willingen). (It is only beaten by Roman Koudelka, who could get 4 wins so far). But being on the podium 8 times individually and 3 times with the team (2 victories in Klingenthal and Zakopane, one 2nd place in Willingen) makes him the most successful jumper this year.
And he still shows no sign of weakness!
At the end of last season, he took home the victory in Oslo, became Ski Flying World Champion in Harrachov and also succeded in the final competitions in Planica as winner and on the second place.
When did this fantastic talent emerge?
After watching the Four-Hills-Tournament on TV at home with his parents, the totally fascinated 6-year old Severin decided: „I will become ski jumper!“
For his sport, he chosed the residential school in Berchtesgarden, passed his Abitur in 2007 and already could celebrate his first victory in the COC the same year- his first year as a professional.
Severin appeared in a FIS-Race for the first time on a notable level in Hinterzarten in 2002.
After his firt Continental-Cup experience in St. Moritz in 2004, he left the COC in 2010 and never looked back as he took over the leading position in the German team.
His entry into the World-Cup followed 2007 in Engelberg. Until today he has 146 World-Cup starts on his account with 12 individual victories and 33 individual podiums all in all. He was on the podium in everything you can win with the team (Gold in the 2014 Olympics Games in Sochi, Silver and Bronze twice in the World Championships, Gold in the Junior World Championships) but individually he couldn't bring home a medal, neither in the Olympics, where he finished 4th nor in the World Championships so far. But regarding his power and stability, he is a hot candidate for this season's Nordic World Championships in Falun and we're excited to see what he'll show us there.
By the way: Severin Freund helds 3 different hill records, in Falun, Trondheim and the latest one in Bad Mitterndorf, where he sailed 237,5m in January 2015.
He's an addict to music, reading and travelling- what he actually is doing enough throughout the season. But unlike many others, it doesn't seem to make him tired!
But also aside from the sport there is a lot that characterizes this smart athlete. Severin started to study International Management in Munich, is interested in a lot of different things – using his wikipedia app as often as he doesn't know something at first- and known as a man you can talk about and discuss everything, as his teammates state.
His sponsor Manner means a lot to him personally, as he is known to be a big fan of sweets.
His best overall result was being 3rd in the WC season 2013/14 but being 4th in the current season, only 3 points behind the actual 3rd Roman Koudelka, Severin has big chances to equal that -if not even improving further.
But Severin Freund is more than an ambitious athlete, he's also a great personality.
„He is always balanced, souvereign and calm. That is indeed remarkable!“, says Richard Freitag, his roommate.
Pascal Bodmer adds: „He worked hard for his success and therefore he savors full respect!“
And as always, the five-time German champion just smiles and continues to stun.
- by Peggy Kierstan
