Nordic SkiingCross Country - Germany
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The German team of cross-country skiing has already left for Sochi, where on Saturday with the women's skiathlon start the XXII Olympic Winter Games.
Tuesday 4 February 2014 14 minutes reading time
These are the words of the fifteen boys summoned by head coach Frank Ullrich, ready to do battle in every race.
Lucia Anger: "I feel great and I'm really looking forward to taking part in the Olympics! The form is pretty good, we trained hard in Dobbiaco. I just can not imagine what awaits me, this is the first time I participate in the Olympics. I do not have a specific goal, I will try to do the best in the sprint and then we'll see what happens. I've never been to Sochi, I do not know yet exactly how the route, we will see him Wednesday and evaluate what you can do. "
Stefanie Böhler: "This call repays the efforts I have made in training. Already this summer, I felt that my body reacted well, I had already noticed at the Vancouver Olympics that something was wrong, and I do not always limping passed. Two years ago I found out I had a thyroid carcinoma, which of course has been surgically removed. Since then my life has changed a lot, I am aware of having had a second chance, and of course I want to use it. Qualify for the Olympics was a goal, but I never felt under pressure. The best moment of my career was winning the silver in Turin in the relay. "
Nicole Fessel: "I'm looking forward to it this Olympiad. The last training went very well and are basically satisfied with my season even though I had an illness that has lasted for a long time. Now I'm back in shape and ready for the skiathlon, then I do not know what I'll do. The goal is the team sprint and relay, in which we can do very well if we were having a good day. I regret not being able to attend the Opening Ceremony, but the next day I already have the first race, and I also regret not having my family in tow. "
Denise Herrmann: "So far this season has gone very well and I hope to confirm in Sochi. I will be among the favorites in the sprint, but must turn in the Olympics, so good. In the team sprint should be paired with Nicole Fessel. The track should be a little 'longer and harder than those that frequent in the World Cup, but I think that overall satisfies everyone. These days I'm trying to relax while listening 'music, but unfortunately even though they wanted to, my family members are not in Sochi. "
Hanna Kolb: "Four years ago I was surprised to participate in the World Cup, let alone the Olympics. This year I have other objectives than in Vancouver: I hope to reach at least the semi-finals in the sprint. I am satisfied with my season, but I still have something to give more respect to those already shown. The path I find it very nice, at least for us women, there is a challenging descent before the final instead could be my strong point. "
Claudia Nystad: "I had a great emotional stress in recent weeks, because the chance to qualify for the Olympics were less and less, I've never had so many difficulties in meeting the target as this year, perhaps because and there are a lot of new names or simply because I decided relatively late to try again. Not enough to be an Olympic champion because everything turns in the right direction. For now my goal is to get among the top twenty in the skiathlon, then we'll see. The medals already won in my career I guard packed in a box that does not touch for years. "
Katrin Zeller: "I had the best results during the Tour de Ski, now I feel good again, we trained well to Ridnauntal and usually I can get in top form at the right time. I'll definitely be in the race in skiathlon and 30 km, the rest is to be decided. The Olympic Games are something special, because are held every four years. I do not have rituals or good luck charm, only confidence in myself. My father wanted to come to Sochi, but it's too expensive, follow me on television with the rest of my family. "
Tobias Angerer: "I have always believed that I can qualify for the Olympics. I will focus on skiathlon, I have prepared especially for this race, I will go with determination and confidence. The three editions of the Olympic that I have attended have been very special experience, so I'm prepared to center the qualification for Sochi, I have it all planned for this event, simulating the path already on roller skis in the summer. My wife wanted to come, but can not do it, my children but I have prepared a lot of pictures that I will take with me. "
Thomas Bing: "We have prepared meticulously, by training at altitude and on long climbs. I followed the races of 2002 and 2006 of Teichmann and Angerer on television and from there I always dreamed of going to the Olympics, too, not just now but I did have even a team with them. My first race will be the skiathlon, where I'd get a placing in the top fifteen, the rest will be decided after this race. I do not have good luck charm, I think that the important thing is training. "
Hannes Dotzler: "I'm very confident, the Olympics is a most important event of the world and of course I want to present myself in the best possible way. For me it will still be a wonderful experience. With the companions we all get along, which is good because that way we can move and spend pleasant evenings together. Skiathlon and will compete in the 15 km, the rest is yet to be decided. I was in Sochi when they played the World Cup races last year, but I heard that the tracks are very tough. We did a lot of testing materials, in order to adapt to all conditions, but I'm especially happy to be there and I will not have any pressure. "
Sebastian Eisenlauer: "I can not wait to compete in the Olympics, is the goal of every athlete. I ran last year in Sochi and have sweet memories, because the path is favorable to me, so I'm confident. I am focused exclusively on sprint, for now it is not expected any race for me. I am also happy to see my friends Nico and Florian Polychronidis Eigler, with whom I spent some time in college. As the sprint takes place relatively soon, I hope to participate in any other race. My parents follow me on television, while I have not superstitious rites, are still too young. "
Jens Filbrich: "Who goes to the Olympics course runs for medals. Above all, we cross-country skiers we did several times, so it would be a lie to say that the important thing is to participate. I hope to be fielded in the relay because there are more opportunities for the podium. I want to enjoy the most of these Olympics, especially for the atmosphere, the Games are something special. In season because I did not go to the maximum suffered a bad accident on the treadmill with a lot of head trauma, I was afraid of not being able to qualify in that this will be my last season, then luckily I did during the Tour de Ski and it was a great relief. Unfortunately I do not have supporters in Sochi and this could be a problem. "
Axel Teichmann: "I trained all year for Sochi. We have already dealt with race here last year, it was all very well organized and the slopes are very demanding. We have worked hard in recent days to try to overcome the technical problems have emerged lately. I still have the medals in Vancouver in the head, but you have to concentrate only on the races of Sochi. The World Cup 2015 will be definitely without me, indeed, I could stop right after the Olympics, will depend on my gut. "
Tim Tscharnke: "After the car accident right away, I doubted I could qualify for the Olympics. Luckily I was able to get results while still relatively low by training, and of course I have had ups and downs because I lost something in resistance, but overall I am happy with my season. For me the most important race will be the team sprint, where I will have chances to medal, but will also run the individual sprint. Because of the work none of my family will be in Sochi. "
Josef Wenzl: "I have always trusted to grab the qualification because it is throughout the year that I'm fine. Last season was bad, but this year I went back to a good level. We come from two weeks of hard training, but we could not change plans for the Olympics. The track is very hard and very long, it takes about four minutes and for pure sprinter like me is not easy. Medals at the Olympics everyone wants, of course, too, but it will be very difficult, a placing in the top ten would already be very good. "
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