Tanja Poutiainen, Fischer’s hottest new member came for a visit to the Austrian company. She wanted to get impressions of Fischer, the staff and their works around the racing department. The very likable and ambitious Finn racer has been talking in an interview about motivation and her way to success.
You had a factory tour
through the Fischer plant today. What are your impressions?
All
positive. What impresses me is the company itself. The production of
the skis. I mean, I’m a racer but it’s still good to know how a ski
is produced. How they work professionally and you can see that the
quality is good. And of course they are really flexible in what they
do – they can build new models in three days!
You came to visit Fischer for
one day with your service man Jan. Why? Is it important for you to
get a special connection to your new ski brand?
The main
reason was to meet the people. It gets busier when training and
testing starts in July. So now I know everybody, the who’s who.
That’s good for the cooperation.
Your service man Jan
Tuupainen has been working with you since 1996. Can you tell us
more?
Well, I
mean the year when I made it into the Finnish National Team I was 16
and we were a team of young racers. We had two trainers who did
everything. They coached us and also serviced the skis. One of them
was Jan and the other is my manager now. We know each other. The
last eight years we’ve worked together very closely. He knows my
weak points and he knows my good ones. And I can trust him – this is
very important.
You are from Rovaniemi, where
cross country is much more popular than alpine. How did you find the
way to alpine skiing?
My
parents skied for fun so my two brothers started skiing as well. My
brothers were some kind of friend and of idol for me. I wanted to do
what they did – so I started skiing, I wanted to play football and
so on.
So you play in a football
team?
I do,
yes in a ladies’ team. We play in the 2nd league, which is still
fun.
It’s
kind of a good level for me, for my physical fitness. I do give my
best and it’s such good training. Mentally it’s really relaxing.
What’s the role of the family
for you?
They are
a big support. My parents have always given me their great support.
Without putting any pressure on me, they've never forced me to do
anything. I never had to be an alpine racer. But I wanted to and
they were always behind me.
So what if you weren't a ski
racer, what would be your profession?
Besides
skiing I’m studying economics at university in Rovaniemi. That’s
what I’m interested in. So, after my career I will hopefully finish
my studies and I could do something in combination with sport. For
sure I won’t be a coach at a high level. But maybe I will coach kids
locally. But just as a kind of hobby. And then I will work with
sport and marketing or something similar.
What is the motivation that
has made you successful over the years?
One
point is that I really enjoy this sport. Like I said, not every day
but all in all I like it. I also like training. If I have a goal I’m
prepared to put everything into it. I don’t make compromises. If I
want to be the best in the world I cannot hang around with my
friends all the time. I have to do the training. Then I can say in
winter: I have done everything and tried my best.
How did you feel after the
Olympics in Whistler last winter, were you gutted?
Yes I
was, for the moment. But I soon get over things like that. Life goes
on, skiing goes on. I had big goals, I wanted to win a medal, maybe
even gold. But I wasn’t even close. That’s life.
The worst moment in your life
was…
Would you choose this way of
life again?
I would
– definitely!
Fischer release
