Interview with Norway head coach Alexander Stöckl

Interview with Norway head coach Alexander Stöckl

26/06/2014 11:41

Last season was a long season for everybody in ski jumping, so it probably was also for Alex Stöckl. There is no doubt that Norway the past winter didn’t exactly managed to be at their very best. The likes of Tom Hilde in particular was one of the member of the team that struggled most to be at his very best, Bjorn Einar retirement, with Anders Bardal on the other hand was the only one able to bring some major points and an important medal back in Norway, from the Olympics,

in Sochi. So i guess is fair to say it has been a season with up’s and down’s, but thanks Anders Bardal constant good results was a 8 to 10 season. Skijumpingitaly thought to ask a few questions to the man himself, AlexStöckl, find out with us what his thoughts are. Skijumpingitaly : Hello Alex, is good to have you back with us for a few questions. How are you, did you enjoined your vacations after such a long and tiring season?

Alex Stöckl : I am fine. After the season I had some time off and I had a nice holiday in Tuscany. Now I am recovered and full of energy for the upcoming challenges.

SJI: What you’ve done exactly, during your time off to regenerate your batteries?

AS: I did some biking, hiking and sightseeing in Italy together with my girlfriend. It was good weather and of course fantastic food and wine. We enjoyed the time away from work and I managed to reload.

SJI: Is a news flash, that you have signed a new deal with the norwegian ski federation, that means that will keep you as head coach for the men ski jumping team, until the 2018 season. Are you excited about it?

AS: Well, I haven’t signed the contract yet but we have agreed on that I will continue. Signing should hopefully just be a formality. I am of course excited. It is four more years from now and I get the chance to be here in Norway another Olympic period. I am looking forward to that.

SJI: What made you decide, that this was the right decision for you, i’m mean staying put with this team? Because I’m sure other nations might have wanted to have the chance to work with a skilful and talented coach as you are. So what’s so special about this team?

AS: I just feel that my work here is not done and I like the mentality of the people here. I have the feeling my work is appreciated in the right way. Even after an average season like it was last winter I have full support on my ideas. The athletes are highly motivated and that gives us a chance to improve.

SJI: It is also a recent news that Andreas Vilberg has joined in the coaching staff.

AS: Yes. Andreas has gotten more responsibilities as a second assistant beside Magnus Brevig. He will of course continue making suits but will also focus on organizing and will work with the athletes on their flying abilities.

SJI: The past season wasn't really the best for you and the guys, since you became their head coach. Surely wasn't what you expected, was it? What do you think have missed, - if something missed - to the team?

AS: There are different things, that did not work as well this year. From a very objective point of view you can see that we had to of our top athletes out. Jacobsen didn’t come back in time after his injury and Hilde was struggling the whole season. The other guys like Fannemel and Velta were close to the performance of the previous year. Anders Bardal performed well but was not attending 8 WC competitions because of preparations to the big events. So that leaves us with less points in the WC Team Overall. But there are other details we could have done better. I think we worked well last summer but the overall amount of physical training and competitions was to high. We missed to take time off for high level technical training. So that will be the focus this summer.

SJI: As you said Tom Hilde struggled a bit, and didn’t really had the most exciting time of his life at a sporting level. Do you think the fans will see again the good old Tom coming back at his best, maybe starting by the SGP?

AS: He is in a good process although I sometimes see the old mistakes. If he continues like he is doing at the moment it will be a better season for him. SJI: What are the things the team are training the most at the moment?

AS: The last weeks we were jumping a lot and the next period before Wisla will be a mixed with jumping and physical training.

SJI: At the end of the season, you have also lost one of the most loved and appreciated figures in this sport, Bjorn Einar Romoeren. Did you know for a long while about his decision to retire or you have been told the Planica weekend?

AS: No. He didn’t tell anybody in order to stay fully focused on the last competition. I think that is a good way to leave the sport. There is a time afterwards to say goodbye. He wanted to perform good in Planica, which he did, and then quit. I highly respect that.

SJI: From one, to another very appreciated ski jumper from Norway. How does it doing Anders Jacobsen? Nothing suggests that he is on the verge to retire again, right?

AS: No, he will not retire. He is working hard and preparing for the upcoming winter. His training program is different to the rest of the team to ensure that his knee is fully functional and that he has no pain when he starts to jump on plastic.

SJI: Last question for you Alex, every year ski jumping have to face new rules. What’s your thought about the new qualification round, for the ski flying races, where the pre qualified now must face qualifications as anybody else.

AS: I think this will lead to a higher level in the qualification. As most of the quali rounds are shown on TV this is positive. From an athlete point of view this means that the pre qualified do not have a „third training jump“ but that should not be a problem. I am curious how it will be

Interview by Consuelo Conte [@KokkaMufc]