Clas Brede Brathen has high
expectations for his team
Ski Jumping Team Norway - FIS
Clas Brede Brathen, sports director for ski jumping
in the Norwegian Ski Association, is optimistic
before the new season and also has high expectations
for his team.
In an interview with RiksTV the 44-year-old seemed
more than satisfied with the preparation for the
Olympic winter. "Last season was very good
for us, but we wanted to continue challenging ourselves
in every field. I'm pretty sure, that at this point
of time, we never felt better prepared than we are
now." This is also reflected in the fact that,
as yet another expression of satisfaction with the
progress of the ski jumpers, it was recently communicated
that the contract with head coach Alexander Stoeckl
shall be prolonged until 2018.
A good training period of course also raises the
expectations of the association for the athletes,
especially in a season that, with the Olympic Games,
the 4-Hills-Tournament, the Ski Flying World Championships
and the overall World Cup, offers various highlights.
"We want to be in a position to fight for the
medals in all competitions. In order to achieve
that we need to have athletes among the best in
the World Cup constantly. That way you gain self-confidence
and that can be an important weapon in the main
events."
On rikstv.com Clas Brede Brathen also expresses
clear goals for this season's big competitions.
"Two to three medals, one of which gold, at
the Olympics, two medals at the Ski Flying World
Championships and a Top 3 result at the 4-Hills-Tournament."
In achieving these goals, the sports director expects
competition from various teams. "I think, that
Germany and Poland will further improve and the
Austrians will seek revenge for last winter. And
there is also Simon Ammann of Switzerland, who will
definitely be in the game for the medals in Russia."