Background information
Step by step out of my comfort zone
by Patrick Bardelli
Simply chocolate like a Sprüngli
21.2.2019
Translation: machine translated
Video: Manuel Wenk
We Swiss love it: the diminutive. The house becomes a Hüsli, the jump becomes a Sprüngli. We just like it small and cosy. Just like my jump in Laax is. Sorry, my Sprüngli is: small and tranquil, but still.
I'm in Laax on the Crap Sogn Gion doing sports with Jens Nyström from Stomp It Tutorials. In the end, it's going to be the perfect day's skiing, with a delicious Sprüngli at the end. In the morning, however, my mood is still like the weather. How can I put it, kind of overcast. And I don't know exactly what will happen. Jens also has a little challenge for me. A challenge, so to speak.
15 year break
I'm nervous. The last time I skied was 15 years ago. Since then, it's been radio silence. Somehow I've never made it back onto the boards that used to mean the world to me. To be honest, I have no idea why that is. Okay, I'm from the lowlands, so the mountains are quite far away. And otherwise? Sometimes I didn't have the time, sometimes I didn't have the money, sometimes I didn't feel like it. In the blink of an eye, 15 years were gone.
I have the classic ski biography of a Swiss boy. My first time on the slats at the age of seven, my dad was my first instructor. Then ski school during the Christmas holidays, sometimes in Scuol, sometimes in Davos. Ski camps in Sörenberg and on the Stoos. Every other winter weekend on the slopes of Meiringen-Hasliberg, Obersaxen or Andermatt. And now Laax, the European freeski Mecca.
The challenge: a moderately difficult jump for beginners
My mood develops like the weather. It's clearing up, the sun is pushing through the clouds. The piste? It's a dream. The feeling returns with every minute in the snow. Old love never rusts. Jens is also a great coach who helps me enormously with his always positive and motivating manner. We're taking things slowly and step by step.
1. jumping without skis
2. jump with skis
3. jumping over ski poles
4. Small jumps at the edge of the piste
5th small beginner kicker
And then the time has come: the medium beginner kicker is waiting for me (see the video above). The sixth and final step in Jens' "Get out of your comfort zone" programme. Build up enough speed, bend your knees slightly, push your poles forwards, stretch your whole body when you jump and don't land in a backwards position. That's it. No problem at all. And over far too quickly. Now I'm hooked and want more. I spend the rest of the afternoon skiing and jumping. Skiing has got me back. It's marvellous!
Thank you, Jens.
My equipment
Next time on "Patrick does sport with ..."
Next time I'm going to hit you on the head. I'm swapping the piste for the ring and going boxing. My goal: a round of sparring without getting knocked out. Put on your mouthguard and follow me here into the fight. <p
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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