Austria’s 'Eagles': “Our own expectations are brutal”

Austria’s ski jumpers are still waiting for a medal at the Olympic Games in Italy. The debut of the Super-Team event on Tuesday evening offers the last opportunity for the Austrians to reach the podium. The external pressure from the media and fans is considerable — but the athletes say the pressure they place on themselves is even bigger.

Jan Hörl will start in the Super-Team competition on Tuesday evening. For the Austrian team it’s a final chance to turn a disappointing run into a memorable outcome. Team members and staff acknowledge that expectations at home are sky-high and that managing that internal tension will be crucial for performance.

Coach and team voices quoted around the competition stressed the fine line between ambition and burden: strong self-expectations can motivate, but they can also become a heavy load. The article notes the wider Olympic week is still ongoing, but for Austrian ski jumping the focus has narrowed to this Super-Team final.