„Finally we can prove to the boys what we’re able
to do!“
It must have been one of the best pieces of news
ever for 15-year-old Anna Berktold: not only will
there be a future ahead for her as a girl in her
discipline of Nordic Combined after all but that
future will practically start in her backyard in
two weeks time. In „Ladies in the Spotlight“, the
resident of Oberstdorf talks about her goals for
the first ever Ladies Nordic Combined competitions,
competing on home turf and her career so far.
What were your first thoughts when you heard that
there would be a ladies training camp and international
competitions in Ladies Nordic Combined taking place?
Anna Berktold: I was super happy that we finally
do have competitions in Nordic Combined for us girls.
Finally we can prove to the boys what we’re able
to do!
What are you looking forward to the most when you
think about the camp at Oberstdorf?
Berktold: Actually, I have to say pretty much everything.
The best thing is that it isn’t only two to five
girls at the start as usual, but 29. It’s way more
fun!
What are your goals for the camp, what would you
like to achieve?
Berktold: It’s my big goal to be among the Top 5
in jumping as well as in the cross-country part.
That will definitely also depend on my shape on
these days but it’s worth a try!
Is is especially great for you to have the first
international ladies competitions in Nordic Combined
take place on your home turf in Oberstdorf?
Berktold: Yes, I really like it! I know the hills
and also the tracks so that might be an advantage
for me. It’s great to have the first international
competitions right on my doorstep!
Do tell us a little bit about your career so far.
When did you start skiing and ski jumping? Which
of the two do you prefer?
Berktold: I started my career with alpine skiing
when I was just 4 years old but it became to stressful
for me at a certain point! (laughs) So I took up
cross-country skiing when I was about five years
old but that was a bit boring, especially because
there was not much going on in the summertime.
So when I was six, I started with Nordic Combined.
But being a girl, I was always told that we wouldn’t
have a future in Nordic Combined, so I switched
to ski jumping. So I basically went back and forth
between Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined from age
six till age 15. But as soon as I heard, we would
be having this camp in Oberstdorf I went back to
Nordic Combined! I simply like doing both, ski jumping
and cross-country.
In which discipline do you see yourself in the future?
Berktold: I see myself in Nordic Combined in the
future. This combination of ski jumping and cross-country
skiing is just so fascinating to me.
