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Hermann Maier Interview
By Barry Spouge |
After a chance Email to the Hermann Maier web-site regarding Press information, Barry Spouge was invited to attend the FIS Ski World Cup 2004 races held at Val Gardena in Groden, Italy just prior to Christmas.
During this 'Ski World Cup at Christmas' event a meeting with Hermann's Press Agent, Knut Okserek, led to an interview with the great man.
A quiet unassuming person, Hermann is a man on a mission, to regain his form prior to his terrible motorcycle accident two years ago. So far he has met the challenge and currently finds himself at the top of the official World Cup Standings. |  Photo: GEPA Pictures |
The questions and answers are as follows;
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BS: Did you always want to ski for your country?
HM: Yes, I always wanted to ski for the Austrian Ski Team. But I realized soon that this was a real challenge. If you have to qualify for a world cup event every
training run within the Austrian team can be a race for you. So world class racers are fighting for their spot in the Austrian Team - in any other country they would have their spot guaranteed…
BS: At what age did you start skiing?
HM: I started skiing at the age of three with my parents. They run a ski school in my hometown Flachau, and they are both skiing instructors.
BS: How is the leg this season, how is it standing up to the training and competition events. I am aware that the pins were removed earlier this year, How is it progressing, is it better or worse than expected?
HM: My leg is for sure not the same than it was before the motor cycling accident. Because many nerves were destroyed through the accident I still miss a lot of feeling. But I'm really lucky that I am able to ski at this world class level again. After the 37 cm long titanium rod in my right leg had been removed last February I started serious ski training this summer in New Zealand, and after two weeks of consecutive skiing I felt again pain in my knee. My patellar tendon, which my doctor had to cut (scratch) to get the titanium rod out, was still weak. So I needed more days for recovery than usual. But I have to be satisfied with the progress. I take this season as a comeback season hoping that next year I'll be able to race with almost 100% of my physical fitness.
BS: When the accident happened what were you immediate thoughts - did you think that it was the end of your ski career?
HM: Right after the accident I didn't think about skiing at all. I was holding my leg in my hands, it was only attached with a few muscle fibres, and I was hoping that the doctors would be able to save that leg.
BS: How much fitness training do you do now - in comparison to the actual Ski training?
HM: If you look at my complete training program you'll find out that skiing is just a small part. During the off season I follow a fitness program at the Austrian Olympic Training Center in Obertauern, Salzburg, where I work out 8 hours a day, 6 days a week. The most time intensive thing is riding my ergometric bike, which I do even on skiing days in the afternoon. So I maintain my fitness level, plus I support the regeneration process which is very important. With this as a basis I only need a few skiing days to get in shape again.
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 Photo: GEPA Pictures
BS: What would you say has been your greatest achievement to date?
HM: If you're asking me about my biggest victory I would say it was coming back after the horrible crash and to win in Kitzbühel - there's not much more you can ask for!
This means almost more to me than the two Olympic gold medals I won in Nagano 1998 after the downhill-crash.
BS: What has been your most enjoyable memory of the races you have had?
HM: Again Kitzbühel, Super-G on January 27th 2003. Finding the perfect run for that day, I crossed the finish line and saw the "1" flashing - after all the struggling, the ups and downs since the accident, this was the perfect moment!
BS: How do you prepare for each race - do you have a set routine - can you run through your preparations from the week before the race for us?
HM: Yes, I do have a set routine. The week starts usually with regeneration and a workout program at the Olympic Training Center in Obertauern. On downhill weeks there's not too much time, because downhill practice usually starts on Wednesdays - so you travel on Tuesday and have the same practice-in-the-morning, regeneration-biking-on-the-ergometer-in-the-evening routine. On race days everything is very hectic, because you have hill inspections, have to choose your perfect material - the race to the start is sometimes as close as the real race for me…
BS: What goes through your mind when you are standing in the start gate?
HM: I try to focus hundred percent and go for it…
BS: Which, of all the races, would you say is the toughest course?
HM: There are a bunch of tough courses - like Beaver Creek, Colorado, Bormio, Italy or Kitzbühel, AustriThose are pure action courses where you don't have much time to think!
BS: What is it like carrying the expectations of your country on your shoulders, does it give you extra pressure or does it give you a huge buzz?
HM: No, when I'm in the starting gate I only think of myself - I try to give everything to be at my best in this race.
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BS: You are known to be an aggressive competitor - how do you channel that aggression into your skiing?
HM: Am I an aggressive skier? I just try to transform my abilities on the snow.
BS: How do you approach the training runs?
HM: You approach training runs differently. Sometimes you check out special sections, next time you try out new material. Only a few times I go for it.
BS: How do you see this season for you at this early stage?
HM: As I said before this season will be a comeback season for me, and under those prospects I am really surprised how good I did so far. Because I still feel that I'm not the one I used to be before the accident.
BS: Do the Austrian Team have a 'Game Plan' for each event, or do you work as individuals within a Team structure?
HM: Both. We practice in special designed groups (downhill group, GS/downhill, slalom, all rounder) as well as individuals within a Team structure. To find out about the "game plan" you have to ask our head coach Toni Giger.
BS: What is your relationship with other team members, much is made of the relationship with Stephan Eberharter - is it really as bad as reported?
HM: My relationship with other team members is like it is in any sports where you travel a lot together. Sure, there are some guys you spend more time with, but in the end you spend most time on your own. Stephan is a colleague and a competitor, and we respect each other. Most of what you're talking was brought into our team from outside!
BS: Does the situation with your leg determine which event you enter?
HM: My leg is as much okay that I should be able to enter any event like before - downhill, Super-G and GS.
BS: Many young British skiers look to you as a role model, what one thing would you say a skier needs to be a World Class competitor?
HM: I would say a skier needs a basic talent for sure, almost as much important is determination. You have to be determined and follow your goals… I was refused entry to the Austrian Team in my youth years because I was just not good enough so I followed my own plan consequently and joined the Team again at the age of 23…
BS: At my ski club/ski centre in Norwich, Norfolk, England, we have five young members of our club who represent Great Britain in the British Children's Ski Team. Do you ever see a British skier 'making the grade'? What advice would you give children starting out on their ski career?
HM: You have to spend as much time as possible with snow and mountains. The secret behind skiing success is to start with ski training during early youth age. And if you don't have snowy mountains in your neighbourhood come to Austria - we've got plenty of them!
BS: Do you look forward to Kitzbuhel each year, what are your thoughts as you approach the race on one of the toughest courses of all?
HM: I look forward to racing in Kitzbühel, because it's the most prestigious event of the season. The first time I raced there it was pretty tough, but since my downhill victory in 2001 I really feel comfortable on this mountain…
BS: What is it like competing in your home resort Flachau - is their an extra incentive to win?
HM: Yes, it would definitely be an extra incentive to win there - I've grown up on that hill, and I guess, I spent more time there than anyone else. Plus they named the course after me - the "Hermann Maier Weltcupstrecke".
BS: How much longer do you see yourself competing at the highest level and what will you do when you retire from competitive skiing?
HM: I feel that I have still some more years on top level in me. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season (2004/2005), because then I hope my physical level will be much better than this year. And I would like to go on until the Olympic Games 2006. As it will be a long time until then I'm concentrating hundred percent on skiing in the near future - I don't want to waste time in thoughts about what's going to happen after I'll retire.
BS: What do you do to relax…when you have the time?
HM: When I relax I hang out with my friends - or I ride my motor bike or my trial machine.
BS: Do you have any hobbies?
HM: Riding my motor bike, shark diving, Helicopter flying.
BS: Is it difficult to stay focussed between races?
HM: I do my best to rule out all distractions and temptations.
BS: What message do you have for the 1000's of fans you have in the UK?
HM: Use more sunscreen!
Follwing the Super G race on Friday 19 Dec in which Hermann was placed 3rd, he came 5th in the Downhill on Saturday 20th and 26th in a GS race on Sunday 21st in nearby La Villa in Alta Badia.
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 Photo: Barry Spouge
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