Interview with Maria Riesch
Maria Riesch has just one goal this season: To win gold at the Olympic Winter Games.
Last season, Maria Riesch dominated the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in slalom. She recorded four consecutive victories, a rare feat on its own, and crowned her season with the slalom world champion title at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Val d'Isère.
It's self-evident, following such dominance, that the goal for the Olympic season must be set high: "Gold in Vancouver". Even more so since the courses in Whistler fit Riesch perfectly. That became clear after her wins in the super-G and super combined World Cups there in February 2008.
The 24-year-old spoke about her first Olympic Winter Games, her role as a glamorous figurehead and about hot tennis matches in an interview with Florian Regelmann from SPOX.
Q: I have heard that you are not just a good skier, but the female version of Roger Federer...
Maria Riesch: (laughs)...let's not start to exaggerate.
Q. But you played really well this summer, delivering some excellent games.
MR: Yes, I played for SC Eibsee-Grainau, that's located near Garmisch, against ETC Siegertsbrunn and I won both the single and double with my sister Susanne clearly in two sets. Tennis is a big hobby of mine, since childhood. If I have time in the summer, I really like playing tennis. It is so much fun.
Q. Are you more the aggressive player type or do you just volley the balls back?
MR: Neither. I am in between. Sometimes aggressive, sometimes just returning the balls. It is all about the mix.
Q. You haven't just been playing tennis but were also out and about a lot. At Carmen Nebel, many gala receptions, the wedding of Boris Becker, etc. How was that?
MR: Nice. I had quite a stressful summer with a lot of appointments, but it was also fun. I also had a great vacation on the Mexican island of Cozumel where I for once had time to just relax. That was wonderful.
Q. Lindsey Vonn was also there, I gather. She is a friend of yours, and also your biggest challenger. At the World Championships, Lindsey won the gold medal duel 2-1. Will you get your revenge this winter?
MR: (laughs) I hope so. As you say, we are really good friends but we are also big competitors. Each of us always wants to deliver their very best. It is a continuous fight between us.
Q. If you could have something from Lindsey, what would that be?
MR: That is difficult. We are very similar. Each has their strengths and weaknesses - it is good the way it is.
Q. Your gold medal in slalom in Val d'Isère was a great highlight last season. How relieved were you after your victory?
MR: It was a huge relief. For my head it was a really important victory. It simply felt good because the World Championships had not gone so well for me until then. It also removes some pressure from me. Of course the Olympics are even bigger that the Worlds and I want to achieve a lot but having a gold medal is already something. The biggest pressure is now off.
Q. As you went to sleep the night before the slalom, how were you feeling?
MR: Not well, to be honest. I was not very self-confident after the earlier World Championship races and I was physically challenged after a fall in the downhill training. I told myself that it is not the end of the world if it does not go well in slalom. I was trying to stay relaxed. Luckily it all worked out.
Q. And now the expectations for Vancouver are for a gold medal.
MR: I know. That is ok. I personally have the big goal to win gold. That is what I am working for. It is also a different feeling than before a normal season, when you know that it is an Olympic season. On the other side, it is still a long way to go so I am not stressing myself out right now.
Q. I have the feeling that you are quiet relaxed. That also applies to your leadership role in the German ski sports. Would you not like to step back sometimes?
MR: No, it is ok. That I am the figurehead, that's absolutely ok.
Q. What do you say when I submit that you are going into the most important season of your career?
MR: Principally, every season is important. You always want to be as well prepared as possible and do your best. But you are right; it is a special season for me. I will race at my first Olympic Games since I was injured the last time around. The Olympics are clearly the most important thing for me this season.
Q. But image, you win the overall World Cup title but your best result at the Games is two fourth places. Will you consider the season to have been successful?
MR: The Games are definitely above everything else. Especially in the minds of the people. That's why it would be very important to win something there. If I am successful at the Olympic Games, then it is not that terrible if the rest of the season does not go so well. That's simply how it is. But regardless, my goal is to try to be consistent all season long, from the beginning to the end. Up on the top all the time, including the Olympics. That's how it should go (laughs).
Q. We saw with Niki Hosp how it sometimes goes. One crash and the dream is over. Skiing is and remains dangerous. Are you scared when you are skiing?
MR: Fear is sometimes very present. Especially when something has happened again, as in the case of Niki Hosp. But as a ski racer, you have to be able to hide your fear, otherwise you cannot be fast any more.
Interview by Florian Regelmann, www.spox.com
STAY CONNECTED
