After a longer break I’m back with an update to keep you in the loop. At the end of last season I first needed to switch off and get some distance – and where better to do that than in Scotland? Two weeks of blissful peace – that’s priceless! Speaking of mountains: a Tyrolean is always drawn to the peaks, even in his free time. So back home I added a few more days of relaxation – not on skis, but on the back of my horse. Enjoying nature, breathing fresh air and unwinding on long mountain rides in the saddle. That gives you strength and energy for a new season.

For us racers, by the way, the new season already starts in April. That’s when the first ski tests took place, where we looked closely at different models that suit my skiing style. In May the (dry-land) training started, along with a first performance test by the ÖSV. In autumn the performance level is measured again, before a final sports-medicine check shortly before the season starts to see how fit you are and how your performance has developed.

Right now I’m in the middle of an intensive training phase. I’m supported by three coaches who have put together a programme tailor-made for me. There are ten sessions a week, with the focus changing between endurance, core and strength training. Core training is important because I used to have back problems, so it gets special attention. Strong core muscles are absolutely essential in skiing. The training was increased step by step so the muscles can adapt again – if you go full throttle straight away, you can easily upset them. My feeling is that I started training at a higher level this year than last year, which could be a good sign.

I’m often asked about my diet. Of course you need discipline, but a balanced diet is all you need to train at a high level. During rest periods I allow myself almost everything, without overdoing it. Still, nutrition is obviously the foundation for top performance in sport.

In mid-August it was back on the snow – we chose Switzerland. Here too: build up slowly instead of going all out straight away. After three months without skis it takes time to get your power fully onto the equipment again. Depending on the weather and snow, from mid-September we’ll gradually move to the glaciers at home and work our way step by step towards the season opener – step by step towards a season I’m already really looking forward to.

See you soon
Yours, Michi