Tuesday Talk with Jenny Nowak

Overall Summer Grand Prix winner Jenny Nowak joined this week’s Tuesday Talk.

The 22-year-old chats about her biggest World Championship goal, the secret of the German team's success and how it feels to be one of the pioneers of Nordic Combined.

With two Individual victories and the Overall win of the Summer Grand Prix, your start into the new season was absolutely incredible. Have you had time to realize what actually happened?
I would say kind of … (laughs).
There have been a lot of impressions and emotions in such a short time for me. But I’m trying to keep the positive feeling which I had during the whole Grand Prix and, of course, the self confidence.
It was all new for me, because I didn’t have those big victories in a long time.
But I can say, I’m more than happy and I’m enjoying it.

You are already at the top level on both the hill and the course. Is there anything you still want to work on until the winter starts?
Yes of course, there is always something I need to improve. My jumps were good, but not yet on the level I want them to be. So, there is still work to do till the winter. And for the cross-country part, I’m still working on my technique.

Your best individual result in the World Cup was a 2nd place in Schonach 2023. At that time only Gyda Westvold Hansen was faster than you. Which competitors do you have to defeat this winter in order to be able to celebrate your first World Cup victory?
Oh, that’s a hard question! There are many girls, who compete on a really high level. So, I am sure it will be an interesting winter.

But to name some: The Norwegians Ida Hagen and Gyda Hansen, then also my own team with Nathalie Armbruster, Lisa Hirner from Austria, Ema Volavsek, who was 2nd in the Overall at the Summer Grand Prix and of course the Japanese. But I feel like I could name many, many more.

Both you and Nathalie Armbruster repeatedly mentioned the great team dynamics in the German team at the Grand Prix. How important is a good internal mood to be successful as an athlete?
Having a good team is crucial and more important than people think.
My team became my second family and we have a lot of fun, while pushing each other on a higher level every day.
Also, you can see our good dynamics in the results. We won the blue, red and yellow bib in the Grand Prix and I’m so proud of that.
It’s an even bigger joy to win and celebrate together.

The focus this winter is on the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim. In Planica you won silver with the Mixed Team. What goals are you pursuing this year?
We have a really strong team, so the first step and goal is to qualify for the Mixed Team.
And, of course, I want to win my first individual medal.
Besides that, I want to show my best competition at the World Championships.

With the large hill premiere in Oberstdorf, women’s Nordic Combined has reached another milestone. What does it mean to have been there from the beginning, making history and paving the way for future generations with your sport?
It means a lot. I‘m proud to say that I have been at every „first“ or new competition in women’s Nordic Combined.

The last big step is now to be at the Olympics. Even if I maybe won’t be able to start there myself, it would be so cool to watch other girls competing there in the future.

Last question: What makes the Nordic Combined Community so special?
It just feels like a big family. We push each other, we celebrate our victories together and we are there for each other after a failure.

There is never bad blood and I’m happy to be a part of the NoCo family!