Boardercrosser Nörl on his crazy double victory: "My board was just brutally fast"

Created: 01/14/2022Updated: 01/15/2022, 00:00

By: Uli Kellner

Target jump under the chairlift: Martin Nörl (yellow pants) shortly before his second victory in Krasnoyarsk.

© FIS Snowboard

What a start to the Olympic year!

Martin Nörl, 28, raced to victory at both Boardercross World Cups in Krasnoyarsk.

Sports editor Uli Kellner spoke to him.

Hello Mr. Nörl, in your first twelve years at the World Cup you have won one - and now two within 24 hours.

In football one would speak of a broken knot.

What's your explanation?

Norl:

Difficult to say.

The track and the snow suited me incredibly well.

But that things are going so well right away.

.

.

My board was just brutally fast.

It was already clear to me that I could be fast on this track, but especially on the first day I couldn't handle the start at all.

On the other hand, you showed how good you are in the overtaking discipline.

Nörl:

Yes, that worked pretty well on the first day - and surprisingly on the second as well (laughs).

I never expected that.

Didn't the competitors analyze your runs well enough?

Nörl:

I spoke to a good colleague from Austria.

They all knew pretty well what I was going to do, but didn't really find a solution on how to defend it.

In the end, I always had to do different overtaking maneuvers – except in the finale.

Suddenly in yellow: Martin Nörl (left) in the jersey of the overall World Cup leader.

© FIS Snowboard

Which speaks for their quality and versatility.

Nörl:

I would put it like this: one curve just seemed made for me (smiles).

And which internal team celebration was better – the one after the first win or the one after the second?

Nörl:

Well, we didn't celebrate big on the first day - everyone is professional enough, everyone wants to give full throttle in the second race as well.

It wasn't a huge celebration on Sunday either.

just a small meal in the evening, because we have enough to do with Corona.

We try to protect ourselves as best we can so that no one from the team has to be in quarantine - especially now, so close to the Olympic Games.

How were you received at home?

Nörl:

My children (two girls, one three, the other almost two/red.) hung up balloons in the living room – that was really nice.

I was very happy.

Otherwise there wasn't much at first, because we only got back late on Monday.

And how does it sleep in the yellow jersey of the overall World Cup leader?

Nörl:

(laughs) I didn't put it to bed, but of course: It's nice that I'm wearing it now.

But to be fair, Izzi (Alessandro Hämmerle from Austria) and I have the same number of points.

I don't know why I have the yellow jersey, there will be some regulation.

Of course I'm happy, but in the end it was just one track on which I was able to win both races.

Of course, not everything is great in China, but it's the Olympic Games.

For me and for many other athletes it is still the greatest thing there is.

Snowboarder and Beijing starter Martin Nörl, 28.

Back to your performance explosion: Does experience in boardercross count more than youthful daring?

Norl: Definitely

.

If we look at Team USA: The one who qualified best for the Olympics is now 40 (Nick Baumgartner).

Sure: you lose physical strength when you're a bit older, you lose your vitality.

On the other hand, you can assess better: Where are there gaps?

Where is it worth riding in?

where better to retreat

The boys are usually good at the start, but then have problems on the track.

There can't be a better push for Beijing.

Are you going to the games as a favorite now?

Nörl:

I don't think I'll go there as the top favourite.

I will definitely be looked at, I will be on the list.

But top favourite?

No, I don't see myself that way.

But with a tailwind like that, anything but a medal would be a bit of a disappointment, wouldn't it?

Norl:

Well.

it's still boardercross.

A lot can go wrong there.

You get knocked over or you make a mistake yourself and are eliminated – whatever.

I'll try to do my best race in China and then look from heat to heat.

We'll see how far it goes then.

So anticipation prevails for you?

Nörl:

I'll put it this way: Despite the pandemic and political circumstances, I'm looking forward to it.

Of course not everything is great there, but it's the Olympic Games.

For me and for many other athletes it is still the greatest thing there is.