Will Hartweg jump on the podium at the World Championships?: “I can ignore everything else when I’m skating.”

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And boom, Niklas Hartweg promptly lands on his back. A trick on the skate ramp didn’t work right away. But the 23-year-old waves it off: “Nothing happens!” Moments later he actually completes the jump. Hartweg laughs – and goes for another ride.

It is in moments like these that the Swiss biathlon star can ‘really relax’. In winter it is his passion for music, gaming or a good espresso from the portafilter machine that helps him escape the biathlon bubble. But in the summer he goes to the skate park. Like on this warm August morning in Lenz GR, when he welcomes Blick to his “favorite spot”.

Hartweg is a much sought after man. The hype around him has grown since he celebrated his World Cup podium debut last season, winning the U25 classification. “But when I skate, I can ignore everything around me. I enjoy being on the board.”

Hartweg says he needs such a contrast with the normal daily life of an athlete. He also likes to play it up every now and then, as he admits with a smile: “Of course, I’ve become very careful now and don’t do anything that would be really risky anymore. After all, I don’t want to hurt myself. And yet skating is a big part of me.”

What remains after absence due to illness?

Even watching skate videos on the internet has a meditative effect on him. The advantage is that it can also do this in winter. Like now, when the tension is increasing again for the World Cup races in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic). A balanced mentality is necessary, especially in his current situation – because the sensational last season was followed by a real stuttering start this winter. Hartweg struggled with health problems from the start. He is currently in 25th place in the overall World Cup, with eighth place in the sprint in Ruhpolding as his best (individual) result.

This also has an impact on his expectations for the World Cup. He knows he has what it takes to be a podium runner. But it remains to be seen what his tank will hold after the difficult first few months of the season. Hartweg says he will approach the mission in the Czech Republic “with less pressure”.

But for all the love for skateboarding, a top result at the World Championships should probably trump the satisfying feeling of mastering a trick.

Source : Blick