Thomas Jöbstl: “I will fight for every point!”

Second in the COC Interviews series is Austrian Men’s Continental Cup leader Thomas Jöbstl. The 22-year-old from Reifnitz has collected 524 in the Continental Cup this year but is trailed by teammate and last year’s COC winner Martin Fritz by only points.

Thomas, how do you feel about your results in the Continental Cup this season?

Jöbstl: It was a little bit up and down but is my best season so far, so I am very satisfied with my results. Also getting my first two wins was really great. But there is still a lot of air to the top, so I am not satisfied yet.

Which goals have you set for yourself at the Continental Cup finals in Nizhny Tagil?

Jöbstl: In Nizhny Tagil, I want to show some good jumps and a good races, so that I have the opportunity to fight for the podium. So yes, being on the podium is definitely a goal a goal for me.

How about being first in the overall standings?

Jöbstl: My main goal, or what I focus on, is to have three good competitions. A podium result, I think, would be a positive side result of a really good competition. But of course I will fight for every point.

How is your current shape?

Jöbstl: It’s actually a little hard to say because some time has passed since the last competition in Eisenerz. I am still working hard on my jumping skills. We will see at Nizhny Tagil.

What are your memories of Russia and your competitions in Nizhny Tagil last year?

Jöbstl: Last year, it was my first time in Russia and in Nizhny Tagil, so it was nice to see another culture and get to know another place. My memories of the competitions, however, are not so good because I had bad jumps and mediocre cross-country races.

But the hill is nice and also the track has a nice but hard profile. The competitions were very well-organised, for example the food services and shuttles, so we really lacked nothing.

Andrey Kascha