Andreas Wellinger (22) speaks about the upcoming season, his role as fans favourite and the experience of Noriaki Kasai.

Andreas, you had to cope with some smaller injury issues during the summer. How is your feeling right now?

At the moment everything’s fine, the knee is working better and better and my jumping shape is also good. Specially the last summer competitions and the German Championship were pretty cool. I try to stabilise this level and develope it to be perfectly fit for the winter.

Stefan Kraft and you were dominating the World Cup in the end of last season? What do you want to change to get in front of him this season?

That's easy. Jump further and get better style scores.(laughs)

What’s your explanation for your great shape during and after the Four Hills tournament?

Good question, I trained well during the summer, better than the years before. Then I wasn’t satisified with the 25th place in the beginning, because in my opinion I trained better than that. It’s very difficult to find the right shape in skijumping. Often you don’t know why it’s not working or the other way round – you make mistakes but it’s working. Then it’s often a single jump, that makes the next step possible. For example one jump in training at Oberstdorf and one in the qualification at Bischofshofen. Jumps like that push you forward and in the end you’re on the podium and you ask yourself ‚What do I make different than the last weeks?‘

Four Hills tournament, Olympic Games and Skiflying World Championships. What’s your priority for the next season?

It is really cool, that we have three such highlights ahead of us. Every athlete wants to take part in Olympic games. Then we have the Ski Flying World Championships in the own country. Probably an experience you only have once in your active career. And the Four Hills are always a sensational event, my goal is to improve myself again. It’s important to jump on a high level throughout the whole season.

How would you describe the fascination Four Hills tournament?

It’s the big tradition of the tournament that now exists for 65 years already. And for us athletes it’s a privilegue to get so much attention during the turn of the year. It’s a combination of this  excitement and attention and the requirements to perform strong in 8 competitions during 10 days.

Do you have a favourite hill at the Four Hills? Where do you think is the best atmosphere?

I’m hill record holder at Bischofshofen so for me that’s definitely one of my favourites. The atmosphere at Oberstdorf and Innsbruck is also something special. And the thousands of flags at Garmisch-Partenkirchen is very unique. At Bischofshofen first you don’t see a lot because a big part of the hill is surrounded by the forest, but when you’re landing down there you realize there’s really something going on.
 

Who do you share your room with during the World Cup season?

Stephan Leyhe is my room mate during the season. We get along with each other extremely well, which is very important as we share a lot of time together. He’s no just a colleague but also a good friend.

How do you spend the time at the hotel?

We play cards a lot, it’s a perfect way to spend your time and always fun. Besides of that we need to rest as well, because of the tight programm.

You’re one of the fans favorites. How much fan post do you receive.  

Yeah, I really receive a lot. My mother helps me sorting out and preparing everything, so we can do that together. It’s extremely cool to see how much time they spend to give me some pleasure. I receive drawings, photo books and letters. It’s a great feeling and I really like to go through everything.

Noriaki Kasai is a legend. Do you think he will make it until the Olympic games 2026, which he declared his goal?

Honestly when it comes to Noriaki everything is possible. He’s a legend. You can see that he’s physically not on our level anymore. But he has so much experience and such a good feeling. It’s impressive how concentrated and quiet he acts and how he’s using the forces between the winds and the skiers. Everyone can take something out of that.