Innsbruck – Elisabeth Görgl (30) is used to training at Patscherkofel. The home mountain of Innsbruck, owned by the Austrian Ski President Peter Schröcksnadel, as the backdrop, "Lizz" discussed the months that followed her golden double at the World Ski Championships 2011 in Garmisch. The world has not changed for the current Innsbruck resident, instead she is enjoying the increased attention.

Elisabeth Görgl (Lizzi) at the top of Austrian Schmitten/Zell am See ski area during World Ski Test 2011/2012, photo © WWW.SKI.BG

You have been living in Innsbruck for ten years. As a native of Styria, where do you think you belong these days?

- In the first place I think I am Austrian. I like being in Tyrol, but I also love Styria.

So you will remain loyal to the state of Tyrol?

- I used to feel a strong connection to the ski primary school in Schladming. Then I went to the ski gymnasium in Stams, completed my exams and was able to continue my career as a ski racer. Now I live in Innsbruck, have excellent training conditions, I especially appreciate the central location in the winter and have my circle of friends here. No, I am not planning to leave Tyrol. The only thing I am missing here is the ocean or a bigger lake (laughs).

And now to more important things, how was your holiday?

- This time I traveled to the Maledives with my boyfriend to relax immediately after the season. For me that was making a dream come true as I had once said: if I ever win something big I will go to the Maledives.

That sounds like a reward. Isn’t holiday normal even for athletes?

- For me that is more a decision based on gut feeling. After the 2009 World Champs season I went to the North of Sweden for two weeks to train and test skis with Anja Pärson. I had some special experiences there too on our free afternoons: for example, Anja’s dad taught me to fish on ice. This time I felt that I needed a break after the season and wanted to really relax, enjoy the sun and the ocean and that’s what I did.

What does it mean to you to do nothing?

- That means doing nothing. That means, sleeping a lot, meditating, watching some TV.

Doesn’t your sporting success last winter also impact on your energy reserves?

- My level of public prominence has grown. There were a lot of requests for appointments, which meant I had to learn to set priorities in order to have enough energy for my main focus which is training.

You were the star at many award ceremonies - Did you ever get the feeling that you were trying to do too much by also following through in your training?

- I made sure to fit the two to each other. The awards belong to success and I enjoyed them very much.

Are you changing something in your training or building on what worked before?

- On one side I am building on what worked, on the other I am open for new things and strive to develop myself as I have also done in the past years. As part of a targeted training you always have to question things and define new goals. One of the purposes of training is to push your limits, find new ways and collect new experiences.

What is it that wastes energy?

- If I cannot be myself. That means I need my space, my own personality and a good organization.

Have you learned to choose since the World Championships?

- I would not say since the Worlds. The process has been underway longer already. A part of that is that I strive to find out what is good for me. You have to be honest to yourself.

And what is that is good for you?

- When I cannot stick to my normal daily routine. Some flexibility is necessary and desirable although I have to say I do try to avoid stress as much as possible.

That means, taking time to learn new things?

- Yes we take time in our camps to try out new things such as judo, kayaking or such. It helps improve your balance and is fun.

By Florian Madl, for TirolerTageszeitung
(See original HERE)
FISalpine.com
Monday 11 July 2011

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