Learning to win

Thomas Morgenstern, 21, and Gregor Schlierenzauer, 18, dominated the recent ski jumping World Cup season. Asked separately, the overall winner and the overall runner-up looked back on the winter just passed.

For me last season’s most memorable moment was …

Thomas Morgenstern: … the first victory on my home jump in Villach.

Gregor Schlierenzauer: … my last jump at the ski flying World Championships.

For me the worst loss of the season was …

Thomas: … Planica. I was absolutely exhausted, and the results didn’t fit at all.

Gregor: … dropping out in Bischofshofen at the Four-Hills-Tournament. I was really annoyed with the jump and the weather conditions.

I envy Gregor for …

Thomas: … his amazing flights.

I envy Thomas for …

Gregor: … his driving license.

The discipline in which Gregor hasn’t got a chance against me is …

Thomas: … keepy-uppy. I grew up with soccer, and I’m convinced I can still do it better than him.

Gregor: … ski flying. Oops, he’s definitely not going to be happy I said that.

In order to stay ahead of Gregor in the overall World Cup next year I’ll have to …

Thomas: … work hard on myself, to learn to analyze the jumps better and not to let bad jumps affect me too much. In this respect, I can definitely learn from Gregor.

In order to get ahead of Thomas in the overall World Cup next year I’ll have to …

Gregor: … work hard on the physical side of things so that I can stay ahead more consistently over the long season. I’ve got to improve, particularly on my jumping power.

This year I learned …

Thomas: … to win. It really isn’t easy to be the last to sit on the bar, knowing you’ve still got to deliver a strong jump for the victory.

Gregor: … that sometimes you have to wait a long time for luck to come along. At the beginning I had so much bad luck with the wind. At the end, I didn’t have to complain about the conditions any more.

The biggest difference between Gregor and me is that …

Thomas: … he’s a quiet guy, I’m always hyperactive and can’t sit still for a minute.

The biggest difference between Thomas and me is that …

Gregor: ... Thomas is a daredevil and I’m the quieter one of the both of us.

Now that the season is over I can divulge that …

Thomas: … towards the end, things really seemed to drag. I just felt I had no energy left.

Gregor: … for a few days I’ll be doing absolutely nothing.

I’ll be spending the next few weeks …

Thomas: … on holiday on the Maldives, where I’m really looking forward to diving.

Gregor: … relaxing at home. I can’t really take a holiday because I have to start school fairly soon.

In the next few weeks I’ll definitely not be thinking of …

Thomas: … ski jumping. After the long season I’ve had enough of it.

Gregor: … ski jumping. I’ve been thinking of it the whole year through and now a few weeks of distraction will definitely do me good.

The record of having won six contests in a row means …

Thomas: … a huge amount to me. The conditions during those victories were always fair, and I won with great jumps. I hope my record will stand for a long time.

A jump of 233.5 meters feels …

Gregor: … almost like a lap in an Air Race plane – I experienced that in summer. The speed and the pressure that affects the skis is amazing. That I still have that feeling since landing is probably due to the fact that only three people have ever jumped further than me. And now it’s time for a new world record.

Next year I’m going to be the overall World Cup winner because …

Thomas: … I don’t have to win it anymore. Next year, though, the World Championship is my big goal.

Gregor: … I’m ambitious and don’t put myself under any pressure. If it doesn’t work next year, I’ve definitely got another ten years to be the overall World Cup winner.

Next year I’m going to win the Four-Hills-Tournament because …

Thomas: … I’ve been close to winning it four times now, and the overall victory should be possible.

Gregor: … I’ve already been the half-time leader in the overall table twice now.