Leonie, tell us about your personal highlights from last season.

My first European Cup victory was definitely a major highlight. But nothing compares to the day I made my World Cup debut in Zauchensee. I am really proud of that.

Was there also a setback or a difficult situation?

A major setback last season was tearing my ACL in my second World Cup race. However, rehab is going very, very well, which has helped me stay positive. I was quickly confident that everything would be fine again.

What goal have you set yourself for the coming season?

First of all, I want to get back to skiing healthy and pain-free next season, and then build my new goals from there. At the stage I am currently in, it is a little difficult to know exactly how next season will unfold...

Who supported you particularly strongly last season?

Quite a few people. I have a very positive and close-knit support network that I can always rely on. My boyfriend in particular was a huge source of support, but so were all the coaches and physiotherapists whom I simply could not do without anymore. :-)

About the Ski-Club and its history

How long have you been part of the Ski-Club, and how has your relationship with the club developed over the years?

I have been part of the Ski-Club since I was little, and I am very grateful that I was accepted at such a young age. My relationship with the SCA has changed in the sense that I no longer need all the training resources at the Arlberg, as I now complete all my training with the Austrian Ski Federation. But there is one thing the SCA has over every other ski club: the personal relationship between coaches and athletes. I can contact any of the coaches at any time and I always have a place where I can feel at home.

The Ski-Club is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. What does this long tradition mean to you personally?

It is simply incredible how big a club can become over the years. 125 years... that is an eternity. It shows that the Arlberg really is one big family!

Is there a role model from the Ski-Club’s past or present who has particularly inspired you?

My ski coach Daniel. He was and IS always there for us, and I could not be more grateful to have someone like him in our Ski-Club. He supported me through the worst days of my career, but also through the most beautiful and successful ones.

Do you remember a special anecdote or story from your time with the Ski-Club that will always stay with you?

Not really one particular anecdote or story. What I do remember, and am enormously grateful for, is how often we practised basic alpine skiing technique. It was drilled into us so thoroughly that we could have performed it automatically at three in the morning.

What creates the sense of togetherness in the Ski-Club for you? Are there rituals, traditions or moments that are typical of the club?

Every year I look forward to Championsday, which is organised by the SCA. It brings together all the athletes and the people to whom we owe our successes.

If you imagine the Ski-Club another 25 years from now, what do you hope for the future of the club and for the next generation of athletes?

I hope the focus on free skiing and skiing in varied terrain continues, and that children are not put into gate training too early. I benefited enormously from that approach. I also hope the leadership positions remain in the same hands for a long time, because this Ski-Club lives through the people who are passionate about skiing and who keep everything moving!

How was your season?

Looking at the results, my last season was definitely my most successful. But it's not just the results and successes that I'm happy with. I've found my own routine, balance and approach to training and competitions, but I've also gained a better understanding of regeneration and recovery, and I'm actually just as proud of that as I am of my performance in the competitions themselves :)

What was your personal moment of happiness?

Definitely the Junior World Championships! This event had been a big goal of mine for years, and after finishing 4th in my favourite discipline, the downhill, I was able to win the silver medal in the Super-G, which was incredible for me. To be honest, I still get goosebumps when I think back on it.

Was there a low point?

The biggest and certainly most painful low point was at the European Cup Super-G in Bardonecchia. The conditions for this race were very difficult: not much snow, nights that were too warm... I crashed in this race – exactly one week before the start of the Junior World Championships – and at first I couldn't believe what had just happened. Somehow, everything hurt, from head to toe. After all the examinations, it turned out that with a lot of work, physiotherapy and the right approach, I could be fit again in a week and compete in the Junior World Championships. I learned a lot from that. Not everything is over just because a small stone is placed in your path ;).

What was new or different this season?

My training in general hasn't changed much. What has changed significantly, however, is the amount of giant slalom training. I only did speed training on a few days during my preparation – which I didn't like at all at first, but in hindsight I can say that it was exactly what I needed for this season. I also made some small adjustments to my fitness training. I kept myself very fit throughout the winter, which gave me an advantage in April!

Which slope was the biggest challenge for you?

Kitzbühel immediately springs to mind when I hear this question. The Streif! It took a lot of effort to ski down the steep slope, but I enjoyed it just as much.

What are you particularly proud of?

I could only talk about the Junior World Championships, because that was by far the best mental performance I achieved last winter. However, I have to say that my season started with a podium finish in the FIS giant slalom – it may sound a bit strange, but I'm very proud of that achievement. I've had problems with giant slalom throughout my entire career. So when I came third with bib number 37 on a slope where I never thought I'd be competitive, I was incredibly happy and it also laid the foundation for the races to come. Because from that point on, things went steeply uphill.

However, I definitely delivered my best skiing performance in Zauchensee at the European Cup. This slope isn't necessarily tailor-made for me either. There, I was able to celebrate my first podium finish in the European Cup.

How did you deal with the pressure and nerves?

As I mentioned above, this year I was able to develop approaches and strategies that helped me a lot. Pressure situations in particular were always a big hurdle for me, but now they are more of a challenge and fun, because I know exactly what I have to do to perform at my best.

Ultimately, however, it's not the approaches I take immediately before the race that help me the most – rather, it's a general sense of inner calm, sufficient sleep, healthy eating and low stress levels. But when I think about the start process itself, a specific warm-up routine and breathing exercises come to mind.

Was there a situation in which you surpassed yourself mentally or athletically?

I could actually talk about the whole season here. But if I had to limit it to one situation, I would mention the pressure situation in Tarvis at the Junior World Championships. I knew I was still missing a medal and it had been a huge goal of mine for a long time. Of course, coming fourth hurt a lot, but I tried to recover from it as quickly as possible. Or rather, I didn't want this result to make me too sad. I kept telling myself: "You have to come fourth at a major event first." Many people found it strange and questionable why I wasn't sad or angry that I had missed out on a medal. But I just tried to see it more realistically and remember that I still had one race left. Then I stood at the start of the Super-G, just grinned, enjoyed the whole situation and finally delivered.

How important is the team to you?

I am a team person. My environment has a big influence on my performance. I have a very good relationship with my coaches and the entire team. My training group was very motivated, but I also always sought to maintain contact with home and my family. I have the perfect environment for the coming season as well and am looking forward to continuing my work.

What would you say to your "pre-season self" with the knowledge you have today?

 "Stay realistic, don't let your emotions get the better of you – whether they're high or low – and always have fun, no matter what you're doing!"

What are your plans for the coming season?

I just want to keep working the same way. Build up a perfect physical foundation, train smart (don't overdo it and listen to my body), but above all, STAY HEALTHY. Because I think that only if you are fit and healthy in the long term can you have a great career.

Personally, I want to continue to be balanced, enjoy sport but also enjoy "normal" life, and not neglect my family and friends alongside all the training – because, as I said, I perform best when I know that those around me are also doing well :)

Last April, you tore your medial collateral ligament. What did you take away from that time for last season?

This season was a comeback season. Last year, I learned what it means to not be able to do everyday things, and I learned to appreciate not being in pain.

When I fell at the European Cup in Bardonecchia, I only aggravated my injured knee, which caused the swelling and inflammation to return slightly. The recovery was short, as I was under time pressure until the Junior World Championships, but ultimately it went very well. I have no complaints about my whole body and can train at full throttle.