Daniela Mittermair: “I just think this sport is cool”

After placing 15th and 6th in the overall World Cup, the first podium finishes and fourth place in the final ranking followed this season. How far will this steep upward trend continue? Daniela Mittermair: “This season went really well, even if I wasn't completely satisfied with every result. I want to move up even further and get into the top three next season. But now it’s time for the World Cup.”

Daniela Mittermair (r.) has risen to number 3 in Italy's team behind Greta Pinggera (l.) and Evelin Lanthaler (middle).

Do you need to top your 6th place at the 2019 World Championships in Latzfons or are you already aiming for medals? “At the World Cup, the first thing that counts is a medal, that’s the case in every sport. I’ll definitely be starting tomorrow with the goal of taking home some precious metal.”

Should the established Evelin Lanthaler and Greta Pinggera take a step back, you will be considered their legitimate successor. Do you see yourself in this role? “No, at the moment I see myself more as a competitor than a successor. I want to stand up to them on the track for a few more years. If they are no longer there in the World Cup at some point, I hope to be at the top.”

“Now that sustainability is being talked about again and again, I can say: we are on trend!” Were there never any attempts by the sledders to lure you into the ice track? “That has never been an issue before. But I also have to say: I have no interest in changing the surface. I've been on luge since I was four years old, then switched to luge when I was 10. This is my great passion and somehow I just find this sport cool. Especially now, when sustainability is being talked about again and again, I can say: we are on trend! We just need snow and water, no other sport is more close to nature.”

You describe tobogganing as a great passion. How difficult is it to combine this with your professional activity? “It's really not easy. Dry training in summer can also be done in the evening, that's no problem. In Deutschnofen I also have the advantage of having a toboggan run on my doorstep. But it's difficult during the season, during this period I literally have two full-time jobs with work in the office and tobogganing. I'm very lucky that my employer is very accommodating and gives me the free time I need for training and racing. But I also occasionally go to the office outside of my normal working hours.”

All this effort could be made up for by participating in the Olympics. How high are your hopes of being able to compete with the natural track toboggans in 2026? “We are very confident that we will be able to compete at the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina. The inclusion of natural track tobogganing has been a topic of conversation for what feels like an eternity. Now a decision will be made next year. For me, the Olympics would be the greatest thing of all, a dream that goes far beyond sports.”

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Daniela Mittermair: “I just think this sport is cool”

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