Jansrud looking for revenge at World Champs 2015

By Published On: September 17th, 2014Comments Off on Jansrud looking for revenge at World Champs 2015
Kjetil Jansrud in Kvitfjell, Norway. GEPA/Thomas Bachun

Kjetil Jansrud in Kvitfjell, Norway. GEPA/Thomas Bachun

Although Kjetil Jansrud sustained a season-ending injury in a crash in the opening super G race at the Schladming 2013 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, the Norwegian came back with a vengeance last season and claimed gold in the super G and bronze in the downhill at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

One of the top contenders for medals at Vail-Beaver Creek 2015, Jansrud took some time from his busy training schedule in Argentina to give us a glimpse into his season preparations. 

Last season was very successful for you individually and for the whole Norwegian team; how easy or difficult has it been to reset and recharge?

Kjetil Jansrud: It hasn’t been difficult to reset and recharge at all. The best fuel for motivation is good results. And even though we had a successful season, the slates are all cleaned in May. The preparation for a new season started as any other year. You go on, trying to improve what you can.

Looking back at the Olympic season, where you were coming back from a knee injury, could you imagine it would turn out to be as successful as it did?

Kjetil Jansrud: Both yes and no. You can’t expect anything in a sport like alpine skiing. There are loads of details and unknown factors that can tip the scales in your favor. However, the toughest time was actually being away from the team at the end of last season. As soon as I was back on my feet in May, there was no turning back.  The plan was to work hard during the season and be ready for action when February came. That it would work to such an extent was in the back of my head the whole time, but we all knew the odds of success. They weren’t good.

You’re in Ushuaia currently – how’s your training been and do you feel ready for the new season set to start in five weeks?

Kjetil Jansrud: Training so far has been tough. The winter seems to be bad everywhere this year and even though we have had a lot of days on snow, most of them have been plagued by bad conditions, rain, fog, wind – you name it. However, our spirits are good, and I think we’ll be content with what we have done when we travel back home to Norway.

You have a full set of Olympic medals now, but none yet from the World Championships. Is Vail-Beaver Creek 2015 a major season goal for you?

Kjetil Jansrud: Yes. The World Championships in Vail-Beaver Creek are a major season goal for me. The best thing about Championships is that no one really remembers the fourth place. So if you go there, you aim for the medals. I hope to be able to compete in downhill and super G and be a dark horse in giant slalom and super combined.

So far you have scored three World Cup podiums on the Birds of Prey. How do you like that course and racing there?

Kjetil Jansrud: The infamous Birds of Prey course is one of my favorites on the tour. It has fast-packed action, with big jumps and steep technical parts. And even though it sounds difficult (which it is), it has a nice flow to it, which not many other downhill courses have. The best praise I can give, however, is the preparation. Every year the snow conditions on the hill are flawless. So thank you to all the volunteers in Beaver Creek. You do a great job!

Who do you think will be your toughest challengers next season, especially for the medals in Beaver Creek?

Kjetil Jansrud: I think there will be a lot of contenders for the World Championships this year. The biggest favorite will probably be Aksel, considering his track record in that hill. Behind him we’ll see a tight race between Dominik Paris, Christof Innerhofer, Erik Guay, Adrien Theaux, Matthias Mayer, Hannes Reichelt and hopefully myself.

Why? I think these few names that can cope with the technical aspect of the Birds of Prey, and still inhabit the special “downhiller” genetics. Probably forgot some names… but that’s what I love about this sport; there’s always that guy you never thought of who beats them all.

A few younger Attacking Vikings are emerging on the world stage – how has that impacted your season preps?

Kjetil Jansrud: Our young guys are really packing a punch. They are a generation of hard-working Norwegian youth that is bound to make their names known on the World Cup circuit. Henrik is already among the best, but behind him we have the likes of Sebastian Solevaag, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, Adrian Sejersted, all young athletes striving for success.

They have a big impact on my season preps. They push the limits every day in training and keeps the oldies like Aksel and me on our toes.

During the season, the schedule gets quite hectic. How do you keep up with the pace of travel, racing and training, and how do you recover?

Kjetil Jansrud: Wow. I sleep. The schedule when racing four events is tough both on the mind and the body.  Best tip: Read a book. Don’t worry about anything else than the races to come.

Online, you often share photos of fun stuff; what’s your favorite “free time activity”?

Kjetil Jansrud: Is sleep an activity? Well, I like hanging out like normal people. Making sure I spend some time with family and friends from back home. And since I am a guy, I do play some PlayStation. Oh, and some guitar too. But don’t expect an intimate unplugged concert any time soon…

1976961_10153103644005558_1148033327985486700_nYou recently moved into a new apartment and adopted a puppy, Pixel, what’s the story there and how has “puppy parenthood in a new home” been going so far?

Kjetil Jansrud: There is no story behind the puppy parenthood, other than that a dog is great company and makes the days of my girlfriend go a tad faster than what they normally would when I am not home. That said, it takes a lot of work, but it’s very satisfying to watch a puppy grow into a well-behaved dog. (Well, if you look away from that occasional pee on the carpet).

In other news, I have moved into a new apartment this summer. And as all other males with some respect for our ancestry, we try to fix things ourselves. With varying grades of success, of course, but my new table on the balcony turned out nice!  And the best thing: It only took 4 people 3 hours to move it 10 meters! No stress.

Release courtesy of Organizing Committee of Vail-Beaver Creek 2015

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