LAOLA1: Before the new season begins: How did the analysis of the past season turn out? What does the ÖSV need to do differently?
Mario Stecher: You always have to rethink things a bit; if you do the same thing as last season, you've already lost. Small details are crucial on the path to the very top. If you ask Julia Scheib what she's doing differently compared to last winter, it's just details. Having self-confidence is incredibly important. We have to believe that we can ski in Austria. Then many things will work again.
LAOLA1: Is it really just about self-confidence?
Stecher: Not only. Last winter, the men weren't good in downhill. Naturally, we focused on that and tried to make another step, especially with an eye on the World Championships. Crans Montana is a downhill where you need to be able to glide. That was certainly a shortcoming last season; we worked on that. Someone who can do that is Stefan Eichberger, who was injured last winter. Work was also done on the entire setup, how the equipment is tuned. We hope something was found that will bear fruit. They can all ski, per se.
LAOLA1: In recent years, the comparison with Switzerland, which has replaced us as the number one ski nation, has often been made. Did Austria catch up again last winter?
Stecher: Yes, that was also evident in the Nations Cup and in individual disciplines. In giant slalom, for example, Stefan Brennsteiner contended for the globe for a long time. Or in slalom, where we had extremely good results with Manuel Feller's Kitzbühel victory and Fabio Gstrein's Olympic silver. There, you could see that we might even be a little ahead of Switzerland. We also have many really good skiers in Super-G. I'm also pleased with how, for example, Ariane Rädler presented herself after the Olympics. That certainly instilled a lot of confidence in her.
Ich habe insgesamt keine Sorgen, weil wir wirklich sehr, sehr viele gute Skifahrer:innen in den Nachwuchsreihen haben.
LAOLA1: Conny Hütter, Vincent Kriechmayr, Manuel Feller – some key athletes are approaching the end of their careers. Do fans have to prepare for a decrease in success?
Stecher: No, I have no overall concerns because we genuinely have very, very many good skiers in the junior ranks. It often might look like no one is coming up, but in sports, a young talent often emerges quickly. That a Lukas Feurstein would be competing among the extended world elite was unimaginable until recently. On the other hand, you also have to be patient and give these young people the opportunity to take one step at a time.
LAOLA1: Is too much pressure often put on young athletes?
Stecher: If you tell a 2009-born athlete now that they have to succeed in the Europa Cup next year and compete in the World Cup in two years, that would be presumptuous. That simply doesn't work. It just creates even more pressure. That would be fatal, and we certainly wouldn't do that. The young athletes can't help it if we might be a bit short on personnel right now.
LAOLA1: You've been in office since 2024 and have initiated some structural changes – including better cooperation with specialized sports schools and a common ski-technical guideline. Is all of that working as desired?
Stecher: I do believe that we have made good progress in the last two years, together with Christian Mitter (ÖSV Alpine Chief; Ed. note), who provides technical input and communicates it so plausibly that it is understandable for everyone. Our youth head Harald Kirchmair works tirelessly day and night to integrate the regional ski associations and specialized ski schools. I see good progress there. We launched Project 2030 back then. For example, from the 2009 birth years, a Wieser Serverin or Wurzer Theo are ranked number three or four in the world in their disciplines. But then, if you look at where we stand in the world rankings with other birth years, we have to make do with what we have and ultimately hope for these individuals. Among the boys, we have two very good ones in the 2006 birth year. We have Natalie Falch, Leonie Raich, or Maja Waroschitz – they can all ski well. But we also have to make them understand that. All in all, there's no cause for concern for the future.
Keiner von uns möchte Lisa in so einer großartigen Verfassung verlieren, in der sie gerade ist. Man muss man froh sein, wenn sie dabei ist.
LAOLA1: Let's move on to the Nordic disciplines. Among the female ski jumpers, there was a retirement this summer, including a return from retirement by Lisa Eder (Ed. note: now Lisa Fettner). From the ÖSV's perspective, did everything go ideally in this matter?
Stecher: Ultimately, it went ideally because she is back. And because a solution was found that suits all parties. None of us wants to lose Lisa in the great shape she is currently in. And if you look at how the team dynamic has changed in recent years, you have to be glad when she – and also Eva Pinkelnig – is part of it. But you also have to remain steadfast. With Franziska Gritsch, who was in a similar situation, we can't say it's not possible and then do the opposite with Lisa now. That's inconsistent.
LAOLA1: Did the ÖSV approach Lisa Eder again after her retirement, or vice versa?
Stecher (hesitates): They approached each other. Thankfully, it then started to work. When we told her what consequences a retirement could have – regarding Bundesheer (military sports support), for example – we then also came together, which is the most important thing. It is undisputed that Manuel Fettner, who has delivered great performances as a ski jumper for decades, can provide incredible added value overall. Ultimately, a solution was found that the other women on the team agreed with. If the issues are clarified there, it can also work.
LAOLA1: Does that mean Manuel Fettner will also provide input to the other female athletes if desired?
Stecher: If desired, yes, but entirely on his own initiative. He is not financially supported by the ÖSV. He simply does it because Lisa wants him by her side. I find that very positive.
Ich glaube, dass Wolfgang vielen einmal die Augen geöffnet hat.
LAOLA1: After last season, there was also unrest in the biathlon camp. Some athletes reportedly approached you because they were dissatisfied with certain structures and the work of Christoph Sumann (Sports Director Biathlon; Ed. note). Was there a discussion, and were the athletes' wishes addressed?
Stecher: First of all: The accusations against Sumi are something that should be resolved in private, not through the newspapers. His absence from Oslo at the end of the season was planned long in advance, and that was not the only opportunity to speak with potential new coaches. It was definitely not easy to find someone in this situation. I believe an incredible effort was made, and ultimately, with Wolfgang Pichler, someone was found – even if he is of advanced age – who had success everywhere he went. Many people have already understood this spring/summer why he often brings success. That you simply have to train for it. That you need a clear plan that you follow daily and that you have to push your limits or go beyond them. He drilled that into them. I believe there's a slightly different mindset now. That can be an added value for the future. But I also want to make one thing clear.
LAOLA1: Go ahead!
Stecher: We didn't actually replace coaches in that sense. The head coach left because he wasn't comfortable with this setup, as he couldn't fully realize his vision there. That's fine. We have a pool of coaches who work very well. But perhaps you have to show them the next step and show them why they were on the wrong track for the past few years. That has happened. I believe Wolfgang (Pichler; Ed. note) really opened many people's eyes. Work is truly being done diligently.
Restructuring in the ÖSV Biathlon Team - these individuals are now in charge >>>
LAOLA1: How should that translate into sporting success?
Stecher: For the women, it can happen quickly that they truly compete with the best. I'm not excluding Anna Gandler from that, even if she prepares independently. She will be fully integrated into the team again in winter. In the service area, we have a new structure, and I believe an incredible step will also happen there now. The only thing I deeply regret is that Fabian Müllauer is going his own way and not training with the ÖSV. He is a relatively young athlete, and it might still take three, four, five years until we have a strong team available again.
LAOLA1: Thank you for the interview!
