Lukas Hofer: “I want my first World Cup victory”

By Hannes Kröss from Sand in Taufers

His eyes are shining, his whole face is beaming. You can tell Lukas Hofer is looking forward to the new season. A season that starts in a few days in Östersund in Sweden with the mixed relay. “I can hardly wait any longer. We trained optimally this summer. Our trainers spoke of the best preparation ever, because they can't even remember that they were once able to complete their program completely according to their expectations," says Lukas Hofer in front of the assembled press in the picturesque design hotel Feldmilla in Sand in Taufers , where he invited journalists to the media conference. The motto is: “Road To Sochi”.

The 24-year-old from Montal looks very confident before the start of the season. Another effect of the optimal preparation for the season, in which a lot of things were left the same, but new things were also tried out. “Of course you don’t change everything before the Olympic Games. For example, I have the same rifle stock that I have trusted for four years. And yet we tinkered around a lot with the rifle. And of course trained at the shooting range. One focus was precision when shooting. It's amazing how the speed automatically improves. I often rubbed my eyes because I didn't believe the times," explains Lukas Hofer full of optimism.

Russia and Lukas Hofer, that just fits

The entire preparation was aimed at two goals. “A first big goal in the new season is to complete the podium,” says Hofer. What is meant is celebrating the first World Cup victory. So far, the Puster native has a third place (also World Cup bronze, editor's note) and a second place in his World Cup success record. Both times he climbed to the podium in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia.

A good omen for the Olympics, the second big goal in the winter of 2013/14? “I just feel comfortable in Russia. It's like I'm at home in Antholz. It’s usually bitterly cold and I also like the snow,” says Hofer.

When Lukas Hofer talks about the Olympic course in Krasnaya Polyana, his eyes sparkle. This is probably because he likes the route like no other. “Sometimes it seems to me as if they made this route just for me, according to my ideas. She is very nervous, constantly going up and down. You never have time to recover, you always have to accelerate, even on the descents. Similar to Antholz. Maybe that’s why I like it so much,” reveals Hofer, who believes that the “man-on-man” races have the best chances of a podium finish.

Hofer “warns” about Ole Einar Bjoerndalen

His strongest opponents will also be the usual suspects in the Olympic winter: Martin Fourcade, Emil Hegle Svendsen, but Lukas Hofer also has the biathlete of the century Ole Einar Bjoerndalen on his list: “We can't ignore Ole this year. He has a lot planned and has already shown his excellent form several times,” says the most promising biathlete in the Italian national team.

But before the Olympic Games, there are six strenuous World Cup stages on the program. The start will be on Sunday in Östersund with the mixed relay, in which Hofer may be used as the final runner. The individual competitions are on the program from Wednesday, November 27th.

Lukas Hofer will be looking for a good opening result in Sweden. It could literally give him wings for the rest of the Olympic season.

A detailed interview with Lukas Hofer will be broadcast on Thursday as part of the SportArena television program on the Rai station Bozen from 21.30 p.m.

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Lukas Hofer: “I want my first World Cup victory”

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