Get to know: Sigrun Kleinrath (AUT)

16-year-old Sigrun Kleinrath burst on the Nordic Combined scene in 2017 when she started participating in the Alpencup and FIS Youth Cup. She debuted in the Continental Cup this season made her debut her breakthrough season with two podium results and her first start at the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships in Oberwiesenthal (GER).

Here are some questions to get to know her better!

How did you start with skiing / Nordic Combined? 
When I was in primary school, I once received a flyer about an event for trying ski jumping and brought it home. My dad asked me if I wanted to go there and I did. Since my club has always been doing some cross-country skiing, I found myself pretty soon in the Nordic Combined scene.

Why did you pick Nordic Combined as your sport, what fascinates you most about it?
When I started at my club for ski jumping I always had to participate in Nordic Combined as well. Because I’ve always liked endurance sports it was no big deal for me to do so. Two years ago I decided to do only ski jumping, I immediately got the feeling something was missing so I decided to go back to Nordic Combined.

What do you have to work harder on, the ski jumping or the cross-country skiing?
I got to deal with difficulties in both disciplines. Most of the time, when I have a good time jumping I have a not-so-good time skiing and the other way around! (laughs) But it always keeps challenging me to keep both balanced.

Do you have a sports idol/role model (inside or outside of Nordic Combined)?
I am not really able to say I have a proper role model but I really do look up to every member of the Nordic Combined family. I’m always fascinated about how everybody keeps pushing each other, how everybody cares for each other and how everybody respects the others the way they are.

What was your greatest/best/most exciting moment in Nordic Combined so far?
A moment that will definitely stay in my mind is the Continental Cup in Rena. It was my first COC and I had some really good jumps. When I won the jumping on the second day and finished with a solid race and the third place I was just feeling amazed. One the one hand, I was so exited about my performance and on the other hand it was just a great feeling to be seen and respected in the NC family.

What are your goals for the next season?
For sure, I need to keep working hard but one goal is participating at the World Championships in Oberstdorf. Then I’m hoping for a good result at the EYOF in Finland and in the Continental Cup / World Cup series. I just want to enjoy being part of developing the Nordic Combined sport for women.

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