“My medals came as a surprise!”

Austrian Lisa Hirner was one of the shooting stars of last season. In this week’s TUESDAY TALK, the 16-year-old looks back on her big triumphs, the Mixed Team event premieres and what’s to come next season.

You ended the Continental Cup season on rank 7, achieved three podium results and won two medals at the title events last season. Would you say you have actually reached more than your goals 2019/20?

Lisa Hirner: I started into the season without too many expectations, as my preparation last summer did not fully go according to plan, so the results were definitely surprising to me. I was able to take a big step forward, especially in the cross-country part. I fully reached my goal in the Continental Cup. My medals at the YOG in Lausanne and the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships came as a surprise.

Your biggest success was probably winning the first-ever women’s gold medal  in Nordic Combined at the Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne. Did you think you could fight for a medal before hand and how proud are you, looking back?

Hirner: I did not expect this medal at all. My goal were the Top 6. I was a bit disappointed after botching my landing in ski jumping and only ranking fourth but I was able to focus before the race. I won gold on this day because I was strong on cross-country skis. The feeling in the finish was incredible but I only realised later, after the medal ceremony, what I had actually accomplished. The first women’s gold medal in Nordic Combined at the Youth Olympic Games!

You followed up with the bronze medal at the JWSC in Oberwiesenthal (GER). How satisfied are you with your week there?

Hirner: It was a bit of a frustrating time because I was not able to show good jumps. But again, my cross-country shape was great and I am very happy about my bronze medal.

The Mixed Team events were new this season, during the Summer Grand Prix and also in the Continental Cup and at the Junior World Championships. How do you like this competition format?

Hirner: I like them. It is great to have some change once in a while and it is a totally different feeling to compete as a team. We have a good team in Austria and we can show very good performances. Our boys really support us girls, we all push each other. We have a great spirit in our team.

How did you spend you time during the Corona-crisis this spring. Any tips on what to do for the Nordic Combined fans?

Hirner: When I came back from the Continental Cup Finals in Nizhny Tagi, (RUS), I actually got quite sick with high fever and cough. After spending two weeks in quarantine, I was finally tested and luckily, it was not Covid-19.

So well, the most important thing is to stay home. I am using the time to enjoy some peace and quiet and to spend some time with my family. I also trained at home, mostly together with my brothers. My family is really supportive in that matter.

Even though we do not know with 100% certainty, how the summer and next winter will look like due to the Corona-situation how are you looking toward the next season. Some big milestones are on schedule for Women’s Nordic Combined…

Hirner: I am really looking forward to it. I am sure, it will be an exciting season with lots of new competitions and our big highlight: the first FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Women’s Nordic Combined.