During the summer months, swiss-ski.ch has been
introducing young ski talents across all disciplines.
As it has been Nordic Combined's Jan Kirchhofer's
turn now, reason enough to cast a closer look on
the young Swiss athlete! The 18-year old has left
his home and is currently living in Oberaich, Austria
while attending the Nordic Education Centre in Eisenerz.
He's in his second year to become a mechantronic
technician and has been starting in the Alpen Cup
since 2010.
Jan, looking back on the last season, what were
your biggest successes?
Jan Kirchhofer: During the summertime, a third place
at the Alpen Cup in Winterberg and in winter a 12th
place at the Alpen Cup in Chaux-Neuve.
What are your goals for the upcoming season now?
Kirchhofer: In the upcoming winter, I would like
to win my first Continental Cup points, be a regular
in the Alpen Cup Top 10 and as I am taking part
in the Junior World Championships, a Top 20 result
would be great!
Can you tell us a little bit about a regular training
week of yours?
Kirchhofer: In the springtime, I have to visit vocational
school and this is quite a hard time for me because
on top of the training hours, you also have stress
in school. After that, I'll be on the road quite
much, so every week is different. In the mornings,
I usually have ski jumping training and in the afternoons
I go roller-skiing or have power units. We start
into the actual preparation for the winter with
long endurance sessions. When the winter comes closer,
the sessions get shorter and faster. And as soon
as the snow arrives, we'll be out making the first
snow jumps.
What would you say is the most fascinating thing
about Nordic Combined?
Kirchhofer: It's the mixture between endurance in
the cross-country part and elasticity in ski jumping.
It's such a challenge to find a good balance!
Let's talk a little bit more about you! How would
your friends describe you?
Kirchhofer: I am happy most of the time and talk
a lot! I am also quite good at remaining calm in
tense situations like in a competition. And I think
I am rather chaotic! (laughs)
What gets you to crack a smile?
Kirchhofer: My two little nieces and my best friend
when I go back home to visit may parents in Switzerland!
The best birthday present you have ever received?
Kirchhofer: The iPod my sister gave me!
What is the most useful thing your parents have
taught you?
Kirchhofer: To deal with people in a respectful
manner.
Which values are important to you in life?
Kirchhofer: Honesty, tolerance and reliability.
Which things would you like to achieve in life,
in sports or in your private life?
Kirchhofer: Well, in sports, it is my goal to belong
to the top athletes in Nordic Combined at some point
in the future. In my private life, I would like
to finish my vocational training as a mechatronic
technician and also pass the Matura exam.
Is there a book or an author you like? What is your
favourite movie?
Kirchhofer: Regarding the book, I like "Cash"
by Richard Price. The movie "Die Wolke"
is really touching. And I love "The Conjuring"
but that's cause I really like horror movies in
general!
If you had only 100 Swiss Francs left, what would
you do with it?
Kirchhofer: I would invite my parents and my sister
to dinner.
Is there something you would like to be perfect
in?
Kirchhofer: As I said, I am really chaotic, so I
would like to be perfect in keeping everything orderly
and clean. Or at least better than I am now!
Which housework tasks are you really good in, then?
Kirchhofer: I started living together with my sister
a short while ago. She has studied to be a laboratory
assistant but has come to Austria to live with me
to attend a school for physiotherapists. She usually
does the cleaning and I do all the cooking at the
washing up!