ÖSV Star Pinkelnig: "A Lot Went Wrong Before the Crash"

Every Friday a Celebration

More than 400 days after the injury, Pinkelnig has processed a lot, both mentally and physically.

"This is how I approached it: From Monday to Friday, there were therapies. And every Friday, when the comeback was still possible, I celebrated - with ice cream, with cookies, with family time, with friends," the 38-year-old recounts. "And that's how we ticked off week after week, and now we're here. The comeback is indeed possible."

In mid-September, Pinkelnig jumped from a ski jump in Tschagguns for the first time again. Her knee is holding up, but the rest of her body still needs to get used to the jumping movements again.

Ich lasse mir von niemandem einreden, was in meinem Leben möglich ist.

Eva Pinkelnig

Whether the 2022/23 overall World Cup winner will be on the start beam at the season opener in Lillehammer on November 21st is still unclear. However, her goals for the winter are crystal clear: the first women's Four Hills Tournament, the World Championships, and ski flying in Planica.

"How we get there is currently very, very flexible. We're just taking it week by week now and then we'll see how far we get," says Pinkelnig, who missed the entire past Olympic season.

The most important thing for the ÖSV ski jumper is, in any case, that she can pursue her passion again at all.

"I am aware that such a serious injury can end careers – at any age," says Pinkelnig.

At the same time, she refuses to be told that at 38, and after the injury, she can no longer return to the world's top.

"I won't let anyone tell me what's possible in my life," says Pinkelnig.

"I'm the Grandma Now"

Before the serious fall, the Vorarlberg native was the best jumper in the ÖSV team. Now she returns to a completely changed team. Two key performers, Sara Marita Kramer and Jacqueline Seifriedsberger, ended their careers. Lisa Fettner (formerly Eder; Ed. Note) came out of retirement.

"I'm the grandma on the team now," laughs Pinkelnig. She definitely brings the most experience.

I think it's also quite good for this season that we can share the roles a bit. Athletically, Lisa is the clear number one. In terms of experience and success, I am number one. I believe that if we can distribute that responsibility across two shoulders, it makes things a little easier for everyone."

While the ÖSV ski jumpers' former successful team has "crumbled a bit," it is now important to rebuild it.

"There are talents here who have incredibly great potential. They will also develop and bring us a lot of joy in the future," says Pinkelnig - who herself still wants to jump for some time...