“Fear of jumping”: That’s what lies behind Malsiner’s final line

Along with Lisa Demetz, Evelyn Insam and her younger sister Lara, Manuela Malsiner is one of four ski jumpers from South Tyrol who have a World Cup podium in their CV. The fact that she climbed it at the age of 19 shows the great potential that lay dormant within her. However, Malsiner was only able to fully exploit this for a short period of time. Serious injuries set the athlete from St. Jakob near Ortisei back again and again and ultimately led to her drawing a line at the age of just 23.

Last season you took part in the first World Cup competition of the year in Ramsau. What happened after that? Manuela Malsiner: “We were actually already on the way to the second World Cup in Ljubno in Slovenia. Before that we trained in Villach. I had a really stupid fall there and dislocated my shoulder. After the fall, some doctors advised me to have an operation. Others, however, said I should rest and wear a splint so that everything can heal again. That’s exactly what I ended up doing and I’m glad that I was able to avoid an operation, especially since it would have been quite risky.”

Were the injuries the reason for the early end of your career or did your passion for ski jumping also suffer from the many setbacks? “Partly partly, although the injuries played a big role. In my career I have broken a rib and my heel, dislocated my shoulder twice, torn the cruciate ligament and meniscus in both knees and survived concussions. The last injury was the last straw. I had blockages in my head and was sometimes afraid to jump. At some point I thought to myself: This can't be it. I don’t see myself going beyond that anymore and that’s why I’m ending the ski jumping chapter.”

A ski jumping family: Lara, Jessica and Manuela Malsiner. © Manuela Malsiner

How did your sisters Lara and Jessica react to this decision? Have you tried to change your mind? “They noticed that I was no longer feeling well while ski jumping. When I informed them of my decision, they fully understood it. They hope I continue to support them, which I definitely will.”

What will you miss most about being an athlete? “The team spirit. Just never give up, no matter how difficult the task may be. I will also miss traveling a lot. I really got to know the world through ski jumping. And last but not least, the teammates. I won’t see you much in the future.”

And what least? “That I always had to be away from my boyfriend (laughs). No, when you're in this world, you enjoy doing this. “Still, it’s only now that I realize how much I missed being home.”

When you look back on your career, what moment do you remember forever? “Definitely the good results in 2017, when I became Junior World Champion and reached the World Cup podium. However, choosing a specific moment is difficult. There was a lot of good but also a lot of not good.”

Do you already have plans for the future? Would you like to stay involved in the sport in some way? “To be honest, I don’t know what the future holds. It could be that I move to Germany to be with my boyfriend. In this case I would watch the competitions on TV or some live on site. However, it could also be that I stay here and find a job at the financial guard. But I don’t want to commit myself yet and I’m leaving all options open.”

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“Fear of jumping”: That’s what lies behind Malsiner’s final line

On Monday, Manuela Malsiner put an early end to her ski jumping career. The 23-year-old looks back on her career with us, explains the reasons for her decision and says whether she has already made plans for the future.

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