“Fish” is far from tired

In Beijing in February 2022 he will try to make up for what has been missed so far. It would then be his sixth Winter Games after 2002 (Salt Lake City), 2006 (Turin), 2010 (Vancouver), 2014 (Sochi) and 2018 (Pyeongchang).

“I will try again in China, there is no question about it. But I certainly won't let that drive me crazy. From a purely nervous point of view, whether I start at the Olympic Games or in the club race in Villnöß is the same for me,” explains the young father of three. The children are Filehner's biggest fans His children Maria (10), Heidi (6) and Florian (4) are the first fans and in some respects also “critics” of Rolly, as he has been called for years: “They often joke and say that I am clearly the oldest in the field of participants. I always answer with a smile and say that I’m a tough dog.”

This is “fish” indeed. The 41-year-old says he always has to overcome himself, especially at the start of the season: “The first ten or 15 training sessions at the start of the season are torture. This drudgery in the summer is getting harder and harder, physically and mentally. But once I found the rhythm, everything happened almost by itself,” confirms the experienced snowboarder.

Roland Filehner in action. © Miha Matavz Photo & Video / Miha Matavz

Athletic trainer Berni Thaler has been taking care of Filehner's physical fitness for several years: “We understand each other blindly, I have total trust in him. We work very well together and I feel fit for my age and have no pain. But of course I’m always at the limit and have to be careful.”

In October, you can often see Firiegeller and the Azzurri on the glaciers in the Senales Valley and on the Stelvio Pass. “The conditions are ideal. We have worked a lot on the technology and are now driving goals intensively. “I try to use every training session consistently, have fun and always want to learn,” reports “Fisch” about his attitude. In November to Finland, then Livigno and Cortina In November, Italy's snowboarders will practice in Finland, before the World Cup starts in Livigno and Cortina. “I'm looking forward to the new winter and will try to give my best performance in every race. Luckily I have top material, that gives me security,” explains the veteran from Villnöß, who lives with his family in Vilpian.

Keyword family: The best place for “Fisch” to switch off and recharge his batteries is at home – with his wife Elisabeth and their three children. If Filehner still feels good physically, it doesn't necessarily have to be over after this season: “I always decide that in the spring with my family. Now the priority is the fine-tuning for the new World Cup season.”

On Friday, Filehner was a guest at the “Festival dello Sport” in Trento. Only a few South Tyrolean athletes were given this honor. “This is a welcome change. It’s fun to talk about your sport,” says the 41-year-old. And after more than 20 years in the World Cup, he probably knows more to report than almost anyone else.

“Fisch” would like to write new success stories again in winter. Best at the Winter Olympics in China, which will take place from February 4th to 20th, 2022.

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“Fish” is far from tired

World Cup titles, World Cup medals, World Cup victories, the overall World Cup, small crystal balls... Roland Filehner has won (almost) everything there is to win in his active career. The only thing missing for the parallel snowboarder is an Olympic medal for the perfect collection.

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