As part of a very strong Norwegian team, Jan Schmid is definitely among the extended circle of favorites in this World Cup season. During the competition weekend in Oberstdorf fisnordiccombined.com spoke with the Swiss-born about frustration and motivation, the new competition formats, future perspectives and the feeling of winning.
Last weekend the competition were rescheduled from Schonach to Oberstdorf. Is such a change a problem for the athletes?
Jan Schmid: It was no problem at all. We were flying to Munich anyway, for both locations. The only difference is that the hill in Oberstdorf is a bit bigger. We don't have a large hill for training in Trondheim right now. But when you jump well on a K 60, also a K120 is not problem.
What do athletes do during the competition break over Christmas and New Year?
Jan Schmid: This is very individual. Those, who have children are with their families. I, for example, spent a very calm first week and relaxed. Then we had a tough week between Christmas and New Year, already about on World Cup level. It's important to not stop training completely, you have to do something intense so you keep the rhythm.
You celebrated your first individual victory this season and were also successful with the team in Oberstdorf. How high is the pressure that's now lifted off your shoulders?
Jan Schmid: I've been competing for a while and got used to now being on top. I never won a lot, was often second, third or fourth, also in test competitions. So it's really nice now to also win something again.
How do you motivate yourself all the time when there's not that big success?
Jan Schmid: I took part in major events very early with the Swiss team, that's a lot of fun anyway, even if you are not on top. Generally it's the goal to get better and better and that what keeps you motivated.
You also use social media a lot to talk about your results and sometimes you get the feeling that you don't hide your frustration. Is this also an opportunity for you to get rid of negative feelings?
Jan Schmid: Often I don't feel so negative as it might sound. That's just my style, I've always been more of a realist than an optimist. That's even worse with my brother, it seems we are generally a negative family (laughs).
Now that you mention Tommy. Earlier you were both competing for Switzerland and decided to become Norwegian citizens. How is the current situation concerning your brother, who decided to take that step after last season? Do you want to compete for the Norwegian team together?
Jan Schmid: Yes, it's almost final now for Tommy. He is just waiting for his Norwegian passport. Unfortunately he had some health prolems in the past years. First he was suffering from mononucleosis, then he had mycoplasmas, these are bacteria that cause problems with the lungs. Now he took three months of and gained about 12 kilo bodyweight. Then he was of course not doing that well in June, but it's slowly getting better. Now he is taking part in the Norges Cup, because he's not to compete internationally. He has a year-long break now.
The change of nations was not that easy for your. There was a transfer fee that nobody could pay at first. How did you experience this time and did you ever regret the change?
Jan Schmid: For me it was not that bad. I had made the decision. It went fast for me because there was a rule, that doesn't exist anymore, that you can change the nationality quickly. I completed the formalities relativly fast and then the associations were negotiating a bit. For sure I'm the most expensive transfer in winter sports (laughs). I never regreted that step. Back then it was for me, like it is for Tommy now. Either your retire or you change the nationality.We both were never home during a whole season from mid November to late March. That's just not working.
This season there were already some new formats like the team sprint and the penalty race. In your opinion, is this a positive trend?
Jan Schmid: Yes! We already had the team sprint before, I think it's very exciting for the spectators. The penalty race is not perfect yet, but it can be very good after some improvements. I also think we would need one more new format. Last year it was a problem with only 13 competitions, you could have 13 gundersen-events. But now we have 27, so you need some variation otherwise it will get boring. Especially when Jason is in shape, than it always looks the same. So he has to win in different competitions from time to time (laughs).
After the penalty race your teammates praised you for the work you did for them, giving up your own chances to help them close the gap to the leaders. Are you a team player?
Jan Schmid: Actually I'm not (laughs), No, seriouly, in a competition I have no problem to help somebody if I'm not in a good position myself. For example, I love cycling and there it's normal. When you don't have a chance, then you can help somebody else.
If you could make one wish for nordic combined for the future, what would that be?
Jan Schmid: I think that form a technical perspective everything is already good. We also have a good number of viewers on TV, but I would really want that more people would come to watch the competitions. It would be great if the people would get off the couch and come to the hill as early as we do.
Besides your career as an athlete your are also studying. What exactly dod you do, what's your motivation and how high is the additional effort?
Jan Schmid: Yes, last year I have completed the bachelor-degree in pedagogy, that took me some years. But now I'm studying German. I had two exams when there were the competitions in Seefeld and one in Ramsau, but it works. I don't have to study in German that much in Norway. Generally I think it's good when you do something else besides the sport. So you can work in school when it's not going that well in sports.
Silke Tegethof