Horst Tielmann ends job as COC Coordinator

After almost 20 years, Horst Tielmann has ended his job and FIS Continental Cup Coordinator. We spoke with him now.

Over many years, Horst Tielmann pulled the strings in the Ski Jumping Continental Cup, with his planning and as FIS official on-site. The 65-year-old has always been professional and in control, with no exception.

Mr. Tielmann: What were your responsibilities as COC-Coordinator?

I coordinated the COC competitions of the current competition calendar.
- represented the interests of the International Ski Federation
- checked if the organizers meet all the criteria determined in the contract
- supervised the organization of the event with regard to the rules and regulation of the FIS and report to the technical committees
- coordinated all the people and institutions involved in the event
- coordinated postponements and replacements of events after cancellations.

What was the official job title?
FIS Men's Continental Cup Coordinator.

Since when did you do this job?
Officially since 2005, but partly already since 2002 as a stand-in for Sepp Gratzer because, at this time, COC's were held at two different venues on many weekends. 
Editor's remarks: Sepp Gratzer was the predecessor of Horst Tielmann.

When did you become the Coordinator?
I already knew my colleagues Walter Hofer, Sepp Gratzer and Paul Ganzenhuber (chairman of the calendar committee) from the time when we were coaches. Since 2002, I have also been a member of the Ski Jumping committee, as well as the committees for equipment and calendar planning at the FIS. At some point, a coordinator was needed because Sepp Gratzer became the equipment controller in the World Cup.

What is the difference between a Continental- and a World Cup event?
The sporting part for the organizers, athletes, coaches, and officials are the same. There are just fewer spectators and no live TV broadcasts. In the Continental Cup it's first and foremost about getting the athletes from this already high level to the highest level, the World Cup.

What was your most curious experience in all these years?
There were many curiosities, big and small. The competitions in Iron Mountain (USA) are always special because a huge part of the 15000 fans watches the events from their cars and they don't applaud, they honk the horn. There are barbecues and parties around the outrun. The Saturday of the event is "Holy Saturday" and deeply rooted within the city.

It was also always special when international Ski Jumping events were held at a venue for the first time, for example, training of the staff in PyeongChang before the Olympics, in Almaty before Junior Worlds, FIS COC's, SGP and World Cups, the new hills and organizing committees in Sochi (COC, WC, Olympics), Chaikovsky and Nizhny Tagil (COC, SGP, and WC), in China with the Universiade in Yabuli and many other new organizers. The various inspections of new projects in the USA, which have not, or not yet, been implemented.

What will you miss?
Right now I don't miss much yet because I'm still involved with the FIS committees. I'm friends with many of my colleagues and this will remain. In the future, I'll definitely miss the nice moments with the athletes at the venues.

With Horst Tielmann, a huge Ski Jumping expert and a great guy is now leaving the international stage. Thanks a lot and all the best, Horst!