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Loving couple with ambitious World Cup goals

Loving couple with ambitious World Cup goals
Daniel Tschofenig
Image: APA/EXPA/JFK

Alexandria Louitt
Image: APA/Georg Hochmuth

Ski jumper Daniel Tschofenig is not only the only Carinthian in the entire ÖSV squad for the Nordic World Ski Championships, for the 20-year-old the competitions in Planica are almost a home game. Because the ex-junior world champion, who finally advanced to the top of the world this season, comes from Hohenthurn near the border to Italy and Slovenia, he can reach Planica from there in less than half an hour.

That’s why it almost feels a bit like a home World Championships for him, said Tschofenig before the start on the normal hill on Saturday. Due to the proximity, he can count on plenty of support from his immediate surroundings. “I know that many friends and colleagues will be there, the whole family anyway and our club will organize a bus. I can certainly draw a lot of energy from that.”

He also hopes for the support of as many compatriots as possible. “There will certainly be a lot of Carinthians inside. We can all look forward to that, I’m very happy to accept the support, it will be very cool.” Despite the short distance from his hometown to Planica, the World Cup accommodation in the ÖSV quarter at Lake Faaker See was never an issue for him. “It wasn’t an issue, I want to be part of the team.”

Like the Olympic champions Karl Schnabl and Franz Wiegele, Tschofenig learned to ski jump on the small hills of SV Achomitz not far from his home town of Hohenthurn. His club colleague Hannah Wiegele almost made it into the World Cup team.

On the other hand, after a strong season with several top ten results and most recently a third place in Lake Placid, he is taking part in a major event for the first time, and he is also quite relaxed. “In principle, I’ve already achieved my goal for this year with the first podium. The fact that I’ve achieved that now and can check off the point feels really great. I can stand on the hill liberated.”

His girlfriend has already won

After he did not play at the Olympics last year, the Stams graduate has good chances this time and can even speculate on top places. An individual medal is probably not possible for him, but in combination with Stefan Kraft and Co. and possibly in a mixed team it is. “Going home with a medal, that’s the goal. It’ll be tough on an individual basis, but we’re really strong as a team.”

Alexandria Louitt
Image: APA/Georg Hochmuth

His partner Alexandria Loutitt achieved even better results than him. The 19-year-old Canadian can even boast a World Cup victory. Like Tschofenig last year, she recently secured gold at the Junior World Championships in her home country. According to Tschofenig, the fact that they are both successful in the same profession is a great inspiration. “I’m happy when she’s successful and vice versa. But we’re separate people on the hill and we’re fighting for ourselves.”

Despite having the same job, Tschofenig rarely sees his girlfriend during the season, but they have come to terms with that. “It’s more difficult in winter than in summer, but it works well.” At the World Cup, Loutitt and her team are quartered in Kransjka Gora, Tschofenig on the other side of the Wurzenpass in Latschach. Loutitt’s trainer Janko Zwitter is from Achomitz, but has nothing to do with the couple getting together.

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