“Mixed competitions connect the entire team”

Sigrun Kleinrath is one of Austrias biggest shooting stars.
The 17-year-old won the Continental Cup 2020-21 and was subsequently named Rookie of the Season. 
In this weeks Tuesday Talk the reigning National Champion talks about team spirit, Mixed Team competitions and her first FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.

The first Nordic Combined Women's World Cup season didn’t go as planned due to numerous cancellations. At the premiere in Ramsau (AUT), however, you were immediately the best Austrian. Did you expect such a good start?

Sigrun Kleinrath: To be honest, no. I was a bit surprised myself that it went so well right away! Of course that was very motivating for the rest of the season!

Together with Lisa Hirner you form Austrias national team. Does competition or team spirit predominate for you?

Kleinrath: Definitely the team spirit. Our whole team is very much welded together, almost like a small family and we have always pushed each other a lot.

In the upcoming season, all Women's World Cups will take place together with the Men’s. What are the advantages of this scheduling?

Kleinrath: It has the advantage that people become more aware of us. The men are better known than we are and joining them will help our sport.

At the Junior World Championships in Lahti (FIN) you won the silver medal with the Austrian Mixed Team. In your opinion, should this format also establish itself in the World Cup?

Kleinrath: Yes, definitely! I think the mixed team format is a format that is a lot of fun and that also connects the entire team very well.

In addition to the JWC, you also competed in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Oberstdorf (GER). The participation was your biggest goal of the season! What experiences did you have?

Kleinrath: I think I can say that the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships were a great experience for all of us. Of course there was some stress I put on myself, but the feeling of being there, at my very first World Championships, was just fantastic!

What is your schedule for the next months?

Kleinrath: At the moment everything revolves around school. In addition to all the learning, I try to get outside as much as possible. When that's all done, I can devote myself fully to training in the summer again.

With a view to winter: What goal motivates you during the summer?

Kleinrath: I will start the season with the same goal as last year: It is just important to me to live and enjoy the sport!