Gregor Schlierenzauer has been busy since the ski season finished. The Olympic gold medallist has split his time between Tenerife, Hamburg and Monaco as he winds down from a successful season. We caught up with him to talk ski jumping, football, Prince Albert II of Monaco and his love of photography...
Tenerife, Hamburg and Monaco - all this traveling doesn't really sound like relaxing at all.
It is if you arrange your time in the right way. Travelling just starts to get hectic once appointments start to overlap. So, you really need to balance training and recovery and I guess I'm doing that pretty well.
You hoped to not be recognized that much during your vacation in Tenerife - how did that turn out?
Pretty well actually, I loved walking around the streets and not being watched from all sides. Being a normal guy is the best kind of recovery that you can get.
Sven Hoffmann/Red Bull Photofiles
Your next stop was Hamburg to discover the city with photographer Sven Hoffmann.
I've known Sven for a long time now and he teaches me anything that is related to photography. His skills are just amazing. And as he showed me his city, our cameras were always in action.
What do you like most about photography?
It makes you look at things in a totally different way. You start to see little details in everyday life that you would never notice without the camera. Photography keeps your head free and fades out everything around you.
Could you imagine doing something with photography once you've ended your athletic career?
I actually share my passion and interest for photography and fashion with other people. For this year I plan to publish a PDF magazine on my homepage. I'll let you know when it will happen.
Do you have any good advice for people who want to get into photography?
First, you need to decide which way you want to go. Do you want to focus on portraits or maybe landscape or snapshots? Once you’ve decided on that, you need a good camera and a photo editing software. But as I said before, finding the right style of photography is the most important thing to do.
You were also shooting a lot during your visit to the Formula one race in Monaco. What is it that makes the race so special?
You are just really close to the action. Right after the race, the street track is open again and you can walk where the cars drove their laps. Also, on this special weekend, Monaco is full of celebrities. Like Paris Hilton, whom I met at the Red Bull Energy Station.
Sometimes people even get invited by Prince Albert II, just like you were.
A long time ago, he did a lot of bobsledding and that's why he knew my uncle [Markus Prock is a ten times luge champion and now Gregor's manager]. We've been to a cocktail dinner in Prince Albert's fort which was a total highlight to me.
Sven Hoffmann/Red Bull Photofiles
A lot of athletes live in Monte Carlo. Could you imagine living there as well?
Monaco is an illusory world and I enjoyed the time I spent there very much. But I don't think that I could deal with all the distractions over a longer period.
The soccer World Cup is just a few weeks away. Who do you think will win it?
Spain, without doubt. During the European championships in 2008 the Spanish team lived in my home town Fulpmes. Back then I was able to meet the team and even got an original jersey from Fernando Torres. So it's pretty obvious that I cross my fingers for them.
How much time will you spend in front of the TV?
As soon as it starts to get thrilling I'll try to watch as many games as possible. Of course only if I don't have to train.
About training – when will you start again?
Actually, I'm already in the middle of it. Right now my life is the stereotypical life of an athlete. I train, I eat, I sleep and then I train again. But I love doing it. Otherwise I would be in the wrong profession!
Still want to know more about Gregor? Well, watch this video.
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