Alex Insam: With great momentum into the World Cup winter

Unlike other winter sports, ski jumpers do not crave training opportunities in the warmer months. The majority of the ski jumps can also be used in the summer thanks to artificial inrun tracks and special landing mats. This prompted the International Ski Federation (FIS) to hold the first so-called Summer Grand Prix 30 years ago. Since then, these competitions have served as a welcome change from the daily training routine for the best athletes in the world. Alex Insam is one of them.

After 2 podium places and 3 other top 10 placings, the Wolkenstein native was close to winning the overall Grand Prix ranking. However, a failed jump at the end in Klingenthal pushed the 26-year-old back to 4th place. Nevertheless, it was a result that gave him a lot of confidence for the tasks ahead.

Alex Insam is ready for the new season. © APA/afp / KERSTIN JOENSSON

"In Hinzenbach, a week before the competition in Klingenthal, things were a bit off. It was the fourth week of racing in a row, and I wasn't feeling so good. I got sick in between. That's why I lost some of my hopes of overall victory," recalls Insam, who missed the second round in Klingenthal in 32nd place.

All in all, the Val Gardena native is extremely satisfied with the summer. "If you look at the whole thing, I'm very happy. I never thought I would achieve such results in the Grand Prix."

The head coach provides security An important factor in why things went so well this summer was the confirmation of head coach Jakub Jiroutek, who took over the position last year. "That was very important," emphasises Insam. "If you change leadership every year, you lose half a year because the coach and athlete first have to get to know each other and understand each other. The continuity helped a lot because it means we can continue the work we started last year."

For Insam, who had two screws removed from his wrist at the beginning of the summer, this means confirming last season's results. "The main goal is to qualify for the second round of every competition. Getting close to the results of the Grand Prix would of course be the dream," emphasises Insam.

World Cup in your girlfriend’s home country? And of course there is the World Championships in Trondheim, which is special for the Wolkensteiner because his girlfriend Lovise is from Norway. "I was up there for a week in the summer. I'm really happy. I got a good result on the small hill this year, coming 12th, so I'm confident," says Insam. For now, however, the focus is on the start of the season on November 22 in Lillehammer.

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Alex Insam: With great momentum into the World Cup winter

The new ski jumping season begins this weekend. Alex Insam is South Tyrol's hottest iron in the fire. Also because the Val Gardena native caused astonishment during the preparation.

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