“It would be so cool to start in one team with my idols!”

Germany's  Jenny Nowak is generally regarded as one of the possible big names of Ladies' Nordic Combined in the future. For TUESDAY TALKS, the 16-year-old looks back on a season with ups and downs, her first international medal and ahead to the possible first-ever Mixed Team event during the Summer Grand Prix 2019.

First of all congratulation on the past winter. The third position in the COC overall ranking and five podium places probably feel pretty good. What kind of bottom line did you draw after the winter 2018/19?

Jenny Nowak: Generally, I am very please with the season. Unfortunately, I was not really fit when it started and got sick but the end of it was definitely really good.

One of your big goals, the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships in Lahti did not work as planned for you. How did you deal with this setback?

Nowak: Yes, my ninth rank was difficult to digest at first. I had worked towards this one competition for a long time but got sick again right before. I was pretty sad about it, for sure but I was also able to turn it around quickly and look forward again. I am already looking forward to my “home” Junior World Championships in Oberwiesenthal (GER) now.

Still, you did not leave Lahti without a medal, as you won silver together with the German Ladies’ Ski Jumping team. How did you experience this moment and do you plan to be on start in both disciplines also in the future?

Nowak: This moment saved my Junior World Championships. It was really special, as I was really grateful to make it to this team in the first place. Yes, I will also try to start in both disciplines again in the future.

Did you have a favourite moment in the past winter?

Nowak: Yes, to win this medal was my favourite moment. It was my first medal in a title event, so it is really special to me.

Looking forward now, the Summer Grand Prix 2019 is outlined to have events in Oberwiesenthal, Klingenthal and Oberhof for the ladies and has grown again compared to last year. Maybe even the first-ever Mixed Team event in Nordic Combined will be on schedule. Are you looking forward to these home competitions?

Nowak: Very much so! I am super excited to have a competition in Klingenthal, where I am currently attending the sports school. I really hope we will have this Mixed Team event in the Summer Grand Prix. It would be so cool to start in one team with my idols!

How does your time until the Summer Grand Prix look like now? Did you have time for some rest, relaxation and holidays yet?

Nowak: Yes, I am actually just back from my holidays. Now I am focussed on school and then training will slowly start again, and with it training camps and the preparation for the Summer Grand Prix.