Windisch about the biathlon season: “An insecure feeling”

The often tough preparation is over, the last training camp in Obertilliach (East Tyrol) has been completed, the suitcases are packed: the starting signal for the new season will soon be given for the local biathletes. On Tuesday morning the entourage will travel to Milan, where everyone will be tested for Corona. Anyone who is negative can travel to Finland, to Kontiolahti, on Wednesday, where the first competitions are on the program on Saturday. Before that happens, the 2019 Oberrasner mass start world champion, Dominik Windisch, answered our questions.

Dominik Windisch, the season is just around the corner. How big is the anticipation?

“It's obviously big, it's finally starting. However, I have a bit of a bad feeling this year…”

Why this?

“Because of the corona pandemic, we have to do a lot of tests, and the tests are not always 100 percent reliable. There is always a certain fear that you appear positive - and maybe you aren't even positive. If you test positive once and things go wrong, you have to take a break for a whole month.”

What do you mean?

“First the quarantine must be served. As soon as we have a negative test, we are not allowed to intervene in the competition immediately. We have to go to Milan to do some performance tests. The lung volume, the heart and so on are examined closely. It often takes a week or two for this to be evaluated. So it may be that you are not allowed to compete for a long time even though you are healthy.”

Applause for the spectators in Antholz: That won't happen this year. © Biathlon Antholz / Nordic Focus

So is there a risk of a season in which the competition will be distorted?

“In the fight for the overall World Cup there could be a really strange situation this year in which luck will also be important. I think that those athletes who are allowed to compete in all races have a big advantage this year over those who may be slowed down by the Corona regulations. If that were to happen, the season would unfortunately have less value.”

What goals have you set for yourself despite the uncertain situation?

“First and foremost, I think everyone wants to get through the season. I have to stay calm and not use up too much energy because of the external circumstances. I trained properly and also did well in the test competitions, so I’m confident.”

“I don’t believe in a one-man show by Johannes Thingnes Bø.” Dominik Windisch With Martin Fourcade a big name has said goodbye. So will there finally be a one-man show by Johannes Thingnes Bø?

"I do not believe that. I have often experienced a high-profile person saying goodbye and then saying 'Now only one of them will win', which then didn't happen. There are always new people coming in, and I see the young French people in particular as strong. Maybe they don’t have the consistency of Fourcades yet, but they certainly have the level.”

Do you trust your compatriot Dorothea Wierer to win the third ball in a row?

"Yes absolutely. I saw how she trained and how good she is. In terms of level, she can definitely be trusted. But you shouldn't forget that anything can happen in biathlon. The mental always plays a big role here and this year – as already mentioned – luck too.”

In your private life, you opened a new chapter in 2020: you are currently working on your own home in Oberrasen...

“Yes, we are already working on the exterior design and hope that the house will be ready for Christmas. But I had to promise the trainers before construction work began that I wouldn't do anything myself. They said that building a house like this is already mentally stressful enough that it shouldn't have physical effects too. That's why my Tata, who is retired, is the project manager, so to speak, and is always on site and the contact person. He enjoys it a lot and I’m very grateful to him (laughs).”

Due to the Corona situation, there were restrictions in the summer. Did you still go on vacation?

“Since we couldn't go abroad this year, I and my girlfriend decided that we would explore South Tyrol. So we sat in our van and checked out various places. For example, I have never seen the Seceda before. That was my vacation this year – and we really enjoyed it.”

Interview: Thomas Debelyak

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Windisch about the biathlon season: “An insecure feeling”

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