A South Tyrolean wants to lead Germany's ski star to the top

Getting an interview with Christoph Kienzl is not that easy, even in Corona times. Not because the likeable man from Nalles would avoid talking to journalists, but rather because he is simply always on the go. “That's true, I travel around 100.000 kilometers a year by car and plane. I’ve just come from fitness training in Garmisch,” he reveals.

However, Kienzl is likely to use his latest promotion as an incentive to continue traveling. He has previously worked on the supervisory staff of the German giant slalom and slalom skiers. From now on he will act as a technical trainer in the speed team and will primarily look after Viktoria Rebensburg. She is Germany's best and most successful ski racer. “Vicky inspires me incredibly as a person” Christoph Kienzl about Viktoria Rebensburg Rebensburg has had a very mixed winter, with one Tibial head injury ended prematurely the day after their second win of the season in Garmisch. Now she wants to attack again with a view to the upcoming World Championships winter - and with Kienzl at her side, who will also supervise her in giant slalom training.

Both have known each other for years now and have 2018 in common Rebensburg's silver win in the World Cup giant slalom was celebrated . “Vicky inspires me incredibly as a person. She loves detailed analyses, she is extremely determined, but at the same time maintains a very relaxed approach. And she always meets you at eye level, even though she has already won a lot,” says Kienzl enthusiastically about his protégé. However, his tasks are not limited to Rebensburg, he gives all German speed drivers important tips.

Christoph Kienzl on Mount Hothäm in Australia. He travels around the globe all year round. © Private

At DSV, Kienzl's skills as a coach are highly regarded, even though he is just 34 years old and was only promoted to the World Cup in spring 2018. Before that, he worked in the youth team for three years. But how does a young ski instructor from South Tyrol end up joining the German Ski Association? Kienzl reveals: “After working as a teacher on the Alpe di Siusi, among other places, I simply applied for an open position at the DSV. After that, everything happened relatively quickly,” remembers Kienzl, who is clearly aware of his privileges: “This is not an ordinary job. I get around a lot, work with great athletes and get to know a lot of people. I love the coaching profession, especially in an association as well structured as the DSV.”

Kienzl is a sociable guy who likes to “talk shop over a beer with acquaintances in the World Cup circuit” after work in the evenings. It is not uncommon for the topic of conversation in such moments to turn to the Etschtaler’s second great passion, wine. Kienzl is also a trained sommelier. “There are many supervisors, but also athletes, who show great interest and with whom you can talk for hours about viticulture.” His passion for the fine wine is no coincidence, as he watched his father in the kitchen when he was a child over the shoulder. At home he advises holidaymakers as a sommelier Kienzl's family runs the Dorfhotel Mehrhauser in Nalles. A ski trainer's stay at home doesn't go by without him busy scurrying through the hotel lobby, checking on things at the pool area or introducing interested guests to the benefits of South Tyrolean wine. “No one can take away my time at home. Here I gain some distance from the turbulent ski circus, here I can completely relax - even if I have to tackle things every now and then."

Kienzl could have it much more convenient than commuting all year round between winter sports resorts around the world, DSV bases in Bavaria, Munich as his girlfriend's home and Nals. “But then I would be missing something,” he says. And so there will be many more kilometers of travel this year, Corona or not.

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A South Tyrolean wants to lead Germany's ski star to the top

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