Ilka goes on for the only thing she is missing

They seemed to hang skis on a wedge, but only for a short time. Two -time World Ski Champion Ilka Štuhec will delay the competitive retirement for at least another year. The main reason is undoubtedly the Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo next year, which are a very attractive opportunity for farewell. But the path to this decision was not easy; Maribor woman is for Were acknowledged that weighing on a career continued has never been as serious as this year.

After a season that has not met her high expectations – especially after changing the team when the mother is Darjo Black replaced the coach Aleš Gorza – Ilka found herself at a crossroads. « Average results », as she herself, did not satisfy her. Its goal was at least in the World Cup and the World Cup, at least the top five, and the quiet desire, of course, the podium, which has been regularly conquered in the past. The championship mindset does not allow average.

After the end of the season, a period of intense reflection followed: was it time to say goodbye to top sport? To the great pleasure of Slovenian skiing lovers, there are no more doubts. « Now they are again and the wishes and motivation and will, and all together, » is for Were confirmed by Štuhec. However, he immediately adds a sincere recognition: « It has been a few times in his career so that it may have been a little smaller (motivation) that there could be almost no more, never as seriously as this year, I have to admit, » said Štuhec.

So what overwhelmed the balance? « After thinking, talking to some people who mean the most, I still realized that I couldn’t stop, I am motivated, healthy to continue, » explained the best Slovenian ski. The key realization was, « It is not worth it to end. » He adds that « it was basically coming up, at home, I simply have something more to show, that this is definitely not it this year, and that there is nothing but persisting, » said the Maribor woman.

Therefore, it is also a logical move that Štuhec with 31. After only one season, he completed his cooperation with Gorza. Finding a new coach or composing the whole team is now its priority. « Everything is still in the process of agreement, so it’s hard to say anything, » remains mysterious. She admits that she will not go without a coach, although she is aware of the irony that she will have a hard time finding someone with comparable competitive success.

But as he points out, top results are not a prerequisite for a top coach. « Some may have not been top skiers, but they are top coaches, nowhere to say that I would be a top trainer, » Were said Štuhec. When choosing a new coach, he does not look for someone to teach her basic techniques – « just everyone knows that, » he says – or trying to transform her into a copy of competitors such as Federica Brignone but Lara gut-white. Such an experienced competitor is more about the fines and finding those hundredths that distinguish the average from the top. « It’s not that I try to change (…) with me, but that the things I know and which are somewhere in me is trying to get out of me and show them when I have to. »

It will be crucial to mutual understanding and trust. « I know what I see or feel, you still need some ‘feedback’ from the outside, how could it be different, as far as the line (…), above all, at some human level, simply things ‘crawl’, to understand that you can see that people with a heart are at things, that they believe, because I believe that I am able to show a lot. Superior sport is much more than just physical fitness.

Ilka clearly knows what she expects from the team: complete logistical support so that she can focus solely on skiing. “I cannot set the track at the same time, smooth it up (…) to make a plan. It is on me to prepare luggage (…) he (coach) must assemble all this so that when necessary, it will be best to be relaxed, calm and ready to attack.  » With a clear goal and a direct approach, she believes that she will find the right people: « I know what I want, I know what I don’t want. »

The location of future Olympics also had great weight in the decision to continue. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum/AFP

Looking at the past season, it is mainly baked by a small number of skis – only six in the World Cup. « I hope you have been able to detect this slight aggression in this small issue, » he jokes, but adds more serious: « Unfortunately against the weather, » But the most hurt when she was close, but her mistakes were away from the top. « When you are close, at the same time, far, that’s what bakes (…) you’re there, you’re just not there. » A thousand times a visible scenario in fast disciplines, where they decide the little things. He admits that mistakes are a topic for another debate, but in the end he is on the track alone – « How did I come to the start, but (…) is not just everything on me. »

The location of future Olympics also had great weight in the decision to continue. « It has certainly helped that the Olympics in Cortina (…) The Olympic medal are definitely something that is missing, something that would almost seem to belong to such a career, » he openly acknowledges hunting for the only big laurel that has not yet won. Cortina, the legendary venue, is perfect for a possible grand finale.

At the same time, Štuhec is aware of his lonely position in Slovenian women’s skiing and super giant slalom. « I would definitely want a man to see a fruit of good work, that there are also young competitors (…), but unfortunately there is no one. » She adds that she is happy to share the experience, but finding successors is not her job. The sad reality of Slovenian women’s skiing in fast disciplines.

As every year, the issue of financing and supporting the Ski Association of Slovenia remains. Talks with the SZS are conducted by its representative Blaž Bolcarwhile Ilka is focused on the composition of the team. Nevertheless, it sends a clear message: « However, they can be reminded that there are not so many skiers in Slovenia, but I can still support me a little more. » But at the same time, he firmly adds that a possible lack of funds will not stop her: « It is also true that I am crazy enough to pay for what will be missing. »

When choosing a new coach, he is not looking for someone to teach her basic techniques-« just everyone knows, » he says-or trying to transform it into a copy of competitors such as Federica Brignone or Lara Gut-Behrami. Photo: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

The good news for stability is that the equipment remains the same and verified, but the bad is that after many years a repairer Roland Schneebergerwho will devote himself to the family. « I am very pleased with the equipment (…), however, is true that I am looking for a new repairer (…) Because there are also more important things in life, such as skiing, say family (…) I accepted and understand it. » Finding a new key article of the team is therefore in full swing.