It still amazes me how I turned intotheolder buddy they look up to, when half the time I still feel like a freshman myself.
Three hours later, I’m standing at the top, in the start area.
The start hut in Kitzbühel isn’t like any other.They’ve attached something called anenergy station.It´s a whole setup with exercise bikes, warm-up machines, and, of course, enough of course sponsor-branded energy drinks to fire up a football team with their support staff.
On the Streif, you can stay warm, spin your legs, even watch the race on massive screens while you wait.No standing in the wind here.No boot-stomping to keep circulation going.No teeth-chattering.Just warmth, comfort, and convenience.
I don’t like it.
Alpine skiers are supposed to freeze their asses off.The cold reminds us of the stakes.It keeps us sharp.If every start hut looked like this, we’d get soft.We’d lose the edge.
When my time comes, I pull on the race suit, buckle the boots, and head to the gate.
Outside, it’s quiet.Just the silence of fear.The hiss of wind.The bite of cold on my cheeks.
My heart rate spikes.Good.I welcome the rush.The blood rising, warming, pulsing as one by one the others launch and disappear.
Roman crouches at my side.He gives my bindings a last check, wipes the bases clean, then lays the skis in place and pats me on the back, checking my boots for any remains of snow stuck to the base.
I know he’s watching my face as I click in.He always does.He knows what to look for: that flicker of confidence in my eyes.The kind that comes when everything feels right.He sees that look and can leave knowing his job was perfect as always.
It’s almost my turn.
I strap on my poles, clicking them to the gloves.Goggles on.
Just a few seconds away from the trophy that should’ve been mine last year.Or the year before.Because this is my home.
I close my eyes.
Block it all out.
No expectations.No trophies.
No Bellini.
No cameras.
No Katharina with her never-ending games.
Just the track.
And me.
I breathe in through my nose.Out through my mouth.Once more.
The gate beeps.
I lower into position.
This is the moment I live for.
Where nothing else matters.
The world shrinks.
Vision narrows.
Thought dissolves.
