SKI JUMPING. Fans and journalists were astonished. Vladimir Zografski, who already attracted some attention with a fifth place in Courchevel last summer, showed the longest jump in training in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and that with tail wind. In Oberstdorf he was 16th, in Garmisch 19th. He was within reach of the world class.

Vladimir Zografski (BUL), foto © fisskijumping.com

But who is this 17-year-old Bulgarian who is on his way to trip up the best? FISskijumping.com spoke with him and his coach Joachim Winterlich.

Владимир Зографски, ски скок Световна купа Енгелберг, 17-19.12.2010, фотография © flying-circus-forum.de

The 67-year-old, who was already working with athletes like Jens Weissflog, Roberto Cecon and Andreas Kuettel, is now coach in Bulgaria and responsible for the rise of "Vladi", like Winterlich calls the man from Samokov.

Zografski has "the guts", you need in ski jumping

Winterlich says that Zografski has "the guts" you need when you want to be successful as a ski jumper, but he's not super talented. "He has to work hard", tells Winterlich who doesn't want to overrate the current success by any means. In fact he wants to lower the expectations of those who think a new ski jumping star is born. He is still "light years away" from the best in the world.

Not much cooperation of Bulgarian coaches

There's a lack of professionalism in Bulgaria. Winterlich especially complaines about the fact that the coaches are not working with each other, but against each other. "Everyone, who has a good jumper on his team also wants to be the national coach", said Winterlich. "I gave Vladimir the best equipment possible. There's hardly any team in Eastern Europe that has such good equipment. That's often forgotten. They expect me to bring the equipment, that makes me angry sometimes".

Zografski with modest goals

He taught his athlete, who is also coached by his father Emil Zografski, modesty. And the newcomer expressed that in an interview with FISskijumping.com. "This season I want to be among the best 30 of the world", he said.

FISskijumping.com Video-Interview with Vladimir Zografski

He is not challenging the big names. "You cannot expect that from him", told Winterlich. He still lacks the physical strength. "His father worked a lot with him on that but it did not always go in the right direction." You can see the deficits also when he plays badminton or volleyball.

Владимир Зографски, ски скок Световна купа Енгелберг, 17-19.12.2010, фотография © flying-circus-forum.de

Of course it's difficult for Vladimir to travel all over the world without a teammate. "I'll take two more jumpers to the Junior World Championships", the coach explaines and points out that he does not do the job in Bulgaria because of the money. "Actually I even have to bring some extra Euros."

Other talented Bulgarians

Winterlich wants to travel to Otepaeae with Zografski, Deyan Funtarov and Bogomil Pavlov. "Both were previously better then Vladimir. But working with his father was good for him." Winterlich especially considers Funtarov, born in 1995 and only 15 years old, a but talent. But right now it's not clear yet if he will follow the further development of Funtarov and the others from up close. Because he thinks about quitting his job. "I make no secret of the fact that I don't like how things are going here. I don't have to do this", tells the man who is working as a ski jumping coach for decades.

Владимир Зографски и националния треньор и негов баща Емил Зографски, ски скок Световна купа Енгелберг, 17-19.12.2010, фотография © flying-circus-forum.de

But Winterlich also believes that it can work without him. The foundation is laid, people in Bulgaria now know how it has to be done. And that's why Zografski - he is only 17 years old - can establish himself in the world class.

But Winterlich points the finger and warns. "You always have to remind him that everything's hard work. Vladi thinks that now everything goes on its own, but that's not the way it is."

FISskijumping.com
03.01.2011 13:18

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