Korbinian Heiland will face international competition on Monday. The cross-country skier from Peiting has a precise goal in mind for the Junior World Championships in Oberwiesenthal.
Peiting - The Nordic Junior World Championships in cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping will start this weekend in Oberwiesenthal (Saxony). Cross-country skier Korbinian Heiland is right in the middle. It is the first World Cup appearance for the Peitinger - with the participation he has achieved his big goal of the season.
Savior, who was born in 2001, belongs to the youngest year. Seen in this way, the qualification is a really great success. But the 18-year-old is far from euphoria or exaggerated pride. "Sure I'm proud that I did it, but it's only a first step on a long road," he analyzes dryly.
Clarified, the Peitinger pursues its goals
In theory, Heiland now has the chance to compete in the title fights five times. This winter as one of the youngest, coming as an established junior and then three more years in the U23. "It's cool that I'm already there and can look at everything for the coming years."
The Peitinger looks clear, knows that in endurance sports you have to work through every step and you can't skip any. A surprise result from a top day or a bit of luck at the right moment is virtually impossible in cross-country skiing.
Modest and realistic: Korbinian Heiland's goal is the top 15
Therefore, Heilands goal for his junior world championship race next Monday is modest and realistic: He wants to finish in the top 15 on the ten kilometers in classic technique. It was there that he could already be found in this year's Continental Cup races.
In general, Heiland was taken with the classic technique. "I can do it better, I'm more relaxed than skating," he says. Although he doesn't have to hide in skating either. At the Junior World Championships, however, where only a few get a starting place, the Peitinger gets his chance in the classic style. "I would have preferred the 30 kilometers to be classic, but I'll also take the ten," says the 18-year-old, with the motto "the longer the better".
Hope for snow
He also hopes that the snow announced for Oberwiesenthal will actually fall and that the individual round can be extended a bit: "At the moment it is only 2.5 kilometers, depending on the weather it will be extended." And would then have to be completed less often. In principle, it doesn't matter.
Savior is also not important for the home World Cup. "It is nice if you already know everything, but you shouldn't let yourself be impressed anyway," says Heiland calmly. He doesn't put any pressure on him, neither does the coach. Nevertheless, Heiland in Oberwiesenthal naturally wants to get his best performance. Because then there is a result that he is satisfied with when he makes his first big appearance - and that he can build on for the future.
Ambitious for years
Incidentally, the success of Korbinian Heiland comes as no surprise. The “Schongauer Nachrichten” have been reporting on cross-country skiers for years. For example, bronze at the 2017 German Championship, a strong 2015/2016 season, and success at the DSV school cup in the 2014/2015 season.