We've had the pleasure to ask some questions to Norway's head coach Alexander Stöckl

We've had the pleasure to ask some questions to Norway's head coach Alexander Stöckl

Consuelo Conte [@KokkaMufc] 6 December 2012

Alexander Stöckl Photo credits Peggy Kierstan © Skijumpingitaly

So here we are again for another interview, this time we will talk with someone who has already answered our questions before, and has been so kind to do that again.

Last year it was a magical season for Norway, with Anders Bardal winning the crystal globe for the first time for Norway in a very long time, and that was not just the first time for Norway to have something special to celebrate but it was also the first time for the head coach at his first year in Norway. We are more than glad to have here with us: Alexander Stöckl.

SkijumpingItaly: Hello Alex, thank you for joining us once again, how are you?

Alexander Stöckl: I am fine thanks. Nice to be with you to talk a bit about my favourite sport.

SJI: Last season was a great one for you as coach of course, but also for the whole team, did you recover from that hunger or are you more hungry for success than ever?

AS: The day I am not hungry for ski jumping I have to quit my job. Although it was a good season last year we still have goals to reach and athletes I want to work with to get them to a higher level. So I am as hungry as ever.

SJI: Winning in the first season as head coach is never easy, is it? How did you guys manage to do so well at the first shot? How did you get along so well without knowing each other for long?

AS: Well, I think we managed quite fast to have a good way of communicating and I spent a lot of time to get to know the athletes, their objectives and their background. Of course finishing the first season in such a way is perfect and gives us the self confidence that we are on the right way.

SJI: Let’s talk about the current season: You guys have started the new season making history in Lillehammer by winning the first ever mixed-team competition in a ski jumping World Cup event. How happy are you about it?

AS: I am really happy about that. If you look back a few months to the Summer Grand Prix you can see that we were not really favorites for this new type of competition. But we worked together well with the ladies and managed to have a good spirit in the competition in Lillehammer. Winning on home ground is always something special and a moment to remember. SJI: On which basis did you pick up the guys for the mixed team? By results or… ?

AS: Not really by results. The conditions in the training were challenging and we could not tell what the value of the jumps was after the training. So we had to decide on the quality of the jumps but not on the length. It is always difficult to pick a team and that situation didn’t make it easier. SJI: In Lillehammer we also had the chance to see Anders Jacobsen competing again for the A team. Does this mean he is back in the WC team or is it too soon?

AS: With those results he is at least continuing in the World Cup. We have to see through the season how things develop. But if he stays focused and manages to work on his technic he will for sure have a good year. He is talented but that alone is not enough.

SJI: As this is a very special year with the FIS Nordic World Championships, what are your goals for this event?

AS: We have the goal to fight for medals in every competition. I think the team is strong and we have a chance, but you know how it is in those events. Everything has to fit and you have to be a bit lucky also so let’s hope we are on spot when it counts.

SJI: Have you started yet to think about the team that will fly to Predazzofor the Nordic World championships in Val di Fiemme? AS: No, it is too early to think about that right now. We have a long way to go there and you never know how the single athlete develops. Right not we are focusing on the upcoming events and after the 4 Hills we will have a clearer picture where we are and who is doing well.

SJI: On which basis you gonna pick up the guys that will take part at the WSC?

AS: It will be a mix of results and development towards the championships. I want to go to Predazzo with the best possible team at that time and therefore we have to be very analytic all the way there.

SJI: What can you tell us about Bjørn Einar Romøren and his back problems? And what about Vegard Sklett, what is he doing as he has not been part of the team until now? Will we see them in action this season, especially Bjørn Einar?

AS: Bjørn Einar had a hard time with his prolapse but he had a surgery and is on recovery right now. His motivation is high as always and he has started with therapy and light physical training. If everything goes as planned we will see him back on the hills in January and then we have to take it step by step.Vegard is home training to improve his jumping. His start into this season was not as expected so he needs time to solve some technical problems. But I am sure if he manages he will be a strong member of the National Team again.

SJI: Last question, how would you rate your time in Norway so far? Are you happy on how things are going?

AS: I am happy. I am living in Norway together with my fiancée for one year now and I feel home. I had many positive experiences with the people, the coaches and the federation and the work with the athletes is fun. We are developing and I am looking forward to this season. We have done everything possible to perform well and I hope we will. I love my job and I am part of a great team.

Many thanks to Alexander Stöckl for his time, we wish him and team Norway the very best for this winter season.

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