Windisch on coronavirus: “We were looked at askance”

SportNews: Mr. Windisch, you have now arrived home safely. How are you doing?

Dominik Windisch: "Thank you i'm fine. We had no problems when entering the country on Monday from Kontiolahti (Finland). Everything went without any major complications.

Let's take a quick look back: How satisfied are you with your season?

“I started the season well. My coach recently told me that I have never collected as many points in December as I have this winter. The rib injury after a fall in Oberhof in January put me out of step. I had severe pain and breathing problems, especially when shooting prone. At the end of the season I got better going again, also because I no longer felt any pain. The highlight of the season was certainly the World Championship silver medal with the mixed relay in Antholz.” “I was brutally nervous before the mixed relay in Antholz” You talk about the great success at the home World Cup. Honestly, how nervous were you as the final runner of the mixed relay?

“I was extremely nervous. The mixed relay was the first competition and we as a team knew before the race that we had the best chance of winning a medal. So the pressure was enormous, especially at a home World Cup where the whole country was excited. But I have now learned how to deal with such situations. After all, I have a certain amount of experience as a runner at major events. That helped me alot. I tried to concentrate on my race and that worked well. When I knew in the final round that it was enough for a medal, the nervousness suddenly disappeared and was forgotten. You train for moments like this all year long.”

Together with Lukas Hofer, Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi, Windisch won World Championship silver. © ANSA / ANDREA SOLERO

“Antholz was the best World Cup I took part in.” How do you generally look back on the home World Cup?

“The World Cup in Antholz was really cool. It was the best World Cup I took part in: from the organization to the atmosphere to the weather, everything was great. Although I wasn’t that happy with my individual races, I’m definitely happy with my result thanks to the medal in the mixed relay.”

After so many spectators watched the action in Antholz, none were allowed at the last two World Cup stops. How strange was this situation?

“Above all, the preparation for the competition was different. You're very focused on the audience. For example, during a sprint you can tell that it's starting by the loudness of the spectators, especially when you're still changing and getting ready for the race. To be honest, I didn't notice that much of a difference during the competition itself. Of course there are no spectators along the course and in the stadium at the shooting range – especially in Nove Mesto – but you try to block out certain noises during the competition anyway.” “Nobody wanted to come into contact with us” Hand on heart: How were you treated due to the fact that the number of infected people in Italy was already the highest in Europe at that time?

“You definitely noticed a difference. Especially at the World Cup in Nove Mesto, some athletes looked at us askance. It was clear that no one wanted to come into contact with us so as not to become infected. I can tell you a short story from outside the track…”

Please…

“One of our trainers was shopping at a small fruit shop in Nove Mesto: When another customer saw him with his Italian jacket, he stormed straight out of the shop. However, I have to say that things got a lot better in Kontiolahti last weekend. A lot of athletes were worried about us and asked, for example, whether we would even come home. The strict measures taken by our politicians were also praised. The general tenor was that Italy was at least honest.” “It would be a dream to end my career with the 2026 Olympics.” Let's take a quick look into the future: you are now 30 years old. Is the 2026 Olympics an issue for you, since the biathlon races take place in Antholz?

“It’s definitely an issue. But I look from year to year. If I still feel fit and am as motivated as I am today, it would be a dream to end my career with the 2026 Olympics. However, after these games I would certainly not compete in any more races (laughs).”

What does your program look like in the near future?

“Now I’ll just stay at home and rest. Immediately after the end of the season, even without the Corona crisis, I would do little or no training. However, I am convinced that once this crisis is over, I will be more happy to get back on my bike than usual.”

Thank you for the interview.

“Can I just say a quick message?”

Gladly...

“Together we will get out of this difficult situation. Please everyone stay at home. We can save people’s lives by doing this.”

Questions: David Lechthaler

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Windisch on coronavirus: “We were looked at askance”

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