Lukas Hofer's comeback: "I'm not the type of person who gives up"

Last winter, Hofer suffered from inflammation of the tendon sheath on his shin all the time. After the season, the Montaler had several operations on the agenda. In the summer he then gradually resumed training. Now he is back in good shape just in time for the start of the World Cup in Östersund.

SportNews spoke to Hofer – immediately before his departure to Sweden – about the difficult past season, the preparation and future prospects.

SportNews: Lukas Hofer, the most important question first: How are you?

Luke Hofer: “Thank you, I’m fine again. I had surgery on the meniscus in the spring, among other things. It was assumed that the shin inflammation was also related to my knee. I've been pain-free for some time now. Sure: there are still a few tweaks in a few places, but that could also have something to do with my age (laughs).”

Last year you only attended the World Cup in Oberhof. Hand on heart: How close were you to ending your career?

“I was closer to quitting than to continuing. But I'm not the type of person to just give up. After the World Cup I asked myself a lot of questions because there was always new pain. How much sense does that still make or is it all good for my body? But I didn’t want to resign like that – also because I had put so much passion and effort into my comeback.”

“I was closer to quitting than to continuing.” Lukas hofer

How difficult was the time for you when you couldn't compete in any races?

“It was very difficult for me – also because I had trained well with the Swedish team last year and felt in top form. That’s why I didn’t turn on the TV at all during the races in December.”

How did the recent preparation go?

“I worked a lot again with the Swedish team under the leadership of Johannes Lukas. This collaboration had already been agreed in advance for two years. They have a different training system, as every nation has its peculiarities. In the end everyone just cooks with water (laughs). Things went very well again and I was happy with my form in the last tests too.”

What are your goals for the new season and how long do you plan to continue?

“The biggest goal is of course to stay fit. When that happens, the results will come back on their own. I know how I trained and I think I can keep up well. But I have to look from moment to moment. I'm certainly not someone who just wants to run along. I always said that I wanted to stop in Oberhof one day because that's where it all started. I can’t say when that will be.”

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Lukas Hofer's comeback: "I'm not the type of person who gives up"

Lukas Hofer missed almost all of last season due to injury. The 34-year-old was even about to end his biathlon career. Now, however, he has bitten back and is currently brimming with enthusiasm, as he reveals in an interview with us.

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