Kayakla Atlama Özel Röportaj: Walter Hofer

 FIS SKI JUMPING RACE DIRECTOR WALTER HOFER KINDLY ANSWERED OUR QUESTIONS

(FIS KAYAKLA ATLAMA YARIŞ DİREKTÖRÜ WALTER HOFER SORULARIMIZI YANITLADI)

            FIS Kayakla Atlama Yarış Direktörü Walter Hofer ile bu yaz Kayakla Atlama Yaz Grand Prix Serileri’nden Einsiedeln’da (İSVİÇRE) görüşme fırsatım oldu. Kendisi ile daha sonra internet üzerinden bir röportaj gerçekleştirdim, çünkü o kadar yoğun bir programı var ki, adeta hiç durmuyor! Kendisine bir kez daha Kayakla Atlama Blogu adına teşekkür ederim.

I had the chance to meet FIS Ski Jumping Race Director Walter Hofer this summer at Summer Grand Prix Series in Einsiedeln/Switzerland. Then, I realized this online interview with him, actually this was the only way to do it, as he had an extremely busy agenda. I’d like to thank you once again for this lovely interview on behalf of Kayakla Atlama Blog.

"I try to take decisions without emotions" 

Şirin Güven: Ski jumping is no doubt a sport, but at the same time, with sponsors, prizes, spectators and broadcasting, it's also a business and entertainement. Often when the weather conditions do not help the competition to take place, you have hard time and you're the one who has to decide, upon the information you get from your team, to continue or to stop. Last season, there were quite moments like this, did you receive aggressive critics? If so, how do you deal with it? Your decisions have a consequence on the fairness of the competition, too, like if you don't decide quick enough and then cancel it, it might be unfair for the other athletes who couldnt jump. So is there a procedure of appeal to your decisions by coaches after the competition is completed? Had any appeal until now been made? If yes, did anything change?

Walter Hofer: I would better give you some detailed information so that you could understand a bit better the background of our organigram. First of all, I have led the competition jury for more than 15 years. But for a few years now, I am a kind of supervisor for the Jury. I am not a member of the three functions (Technical Delegate, Assistant to the Technical Delegate and the Chief of Race). I am now the head of the so called "Competition Management" which  acts if decisions are made which are not stated by the rules for the jury. For example, if the three members of the jury have to stop the competition (for any reason) then I am in charge to decide on delays, interruptions, cancellations etc. I am also in charge to make decisions public, that’s why you see me then in the role of decision, but not all of them are made by me. 

In other words, the Jury has decribed tasks and obligations and I have to observe if they are kept. If any decision is not descriped in the regulations, it is up to me to make further actions and advices to the jury. This is important because I cannot be legislative and executive in one person. As long as the competition runs smoothly, the jury is in action. If a situation occur that the jury has to stop, I am in action (this is the reason why commentators or spectators are crazy and upset about me when it has to be cancelled or restarted etc. :-) But this is fair, because that takes the pressure from the jury away. I am used that people don´t like me ;-)

The second important info is that I am surrounded by real professional partners. Miran for example is extremely careful and is very experienced. The same with Sepp or the nominated officials. All of them are former ski jumpers or coaches.

The interest in such a competition is of course different. Sponsors, organiser, television, agencies, national federations, but this is no problem for us, because FIS is not having the TV or marketing  rights for World Cup events. Therefore we never feel any pressure from this site. It is completely up to the sport. But it is of course fair, that not everybody can be happy with our decisions. Some are in the lead, some are not, this is an integrated part of sport. But it is very simple to charge for yourself: could you imagine that we would stay long in our position if the sport would not be play the most important role?

Another point is the emotion. I try (and have to learn of course every day) to make decisions never based on heart or emotions. Only rational facts and figures are important. The decision must never be different, independent if there are 30 000 or just 300 spectators. This is actually the real challange  in our work. To keep the decisions based on safety and fairness.

Şirin Güven: Why Ski jumping? I do not know your whole career, but for ex. why not alpine or nordic skiing or skating? 

Walter Hofer: That happened by accident. I wanted to be a football player and played for more than 15 years, but not in high leagues and I was not very talented, just passionate and enthusiastic and I loved it. I made a commercial school at first but I wanted to know much more about sport. That’s why I decided to quit my work at age of 25 in order to go to Salzburg for a study in physical education and psychology. This study, of course, I had to finance on my own, that’s why I was searching for a job. One of my first educations also was physio and masseur. So I saw an announcement from the Austrian Ski Association. They were looking for a young student who had knowledge to serve ski jumpers especially for physical training, relaxation, mental training etc. This was my field of play, and this was independent from the sport at first. I could have done it in any sport. But I started to study „my“ vision of this field of sport and learned also the basics of professional training. After ten years of serving, coaching etc (6 years for the austrians, 4 years for the germans) I was asked to join FIS in order to build up the new position of a professional coordinator for ski jumping. This position has been evolved over the years as well - till now. You see, too much about myself. I also have a lesson as lecturer at University of Salzburg, on Event management.

"Big changes made ski jumping safer and fairer"

Şirin Güven: Which countries invest a great deal in this Sport lately, with regard to training facilities, hiring coaches, organizing events, research projets dealing with the improvement of this Sport, ex.? I guess it's not always easy to find a Sponsor for a long term too?

Walter Hofer: There are historically 5 big players: Germany, Norway, Finland, Austria, Japan. The reason was because these nations also had the theoretical knowledge in their countries (universities who were dealing with this sport), and most of the manufacturers, ski producers etc. are also from there. In recent years we were able to balance this advantage a bit and to enlarge this number of potential nations to some other countries: Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland, Czechia. … and now we are hoping that some others will succeed as well: Russia, KAZ, France etc.   … and hopefully some nations which try to develop ski jumping as well: Turkey, KOR, China. Not to forget USA and CAN.

Şirin Güven: Ski jumping is still developing, rules are changing constantly, new technologies are in use on a large scale, for example, on summer grand prix, a new system was tried concerning qualifications. So what more can we expect? What else could be altered in this Sport to make it more secure or exiting or competitive? Any other projets upcoming?

Walter Hofer: Many ideas, many thoughts, but to be honest, the big changes were made 10 to 15 years ago. There we were able to make ski jumping safer and fairer. Now the rules for formats, equipment, organiser etc. are made in smaller steps. But the summer is an ideal field where we can test new modifications and prove if something could be taken to the winter series. But at the moment we are more focused to improve the environment for our athletes and for their personal service. For the infrastructure, preparations etc. This is not so informative and interesting for media, but we are constantly working on these fields as well.

Şirin Güven: As a personal point of view, on which hill/hills you think, you observe that the atmosphere is unique, both from athletes' and spectators' sides?

Walter Hofer: To be honest, we feel that there are many organiser nowadays which are able to create their own atmosphere. You cannot compare Zakopane with Willingen, Oslo with the 4 Hills Tournement, Vikersund with Planica. All of them are unique and show great atmosphere.

Şirin Güven: Are there any opportunities for people who are interested in taking part at Ski Jumping Events, as training or apprenticeship on technical issues or organization, apart from volunteers? Also for berkutschi website, like writing articles or posting videos about Ski jumping?

Walter Hofer: Yes, everything is possible. We have always volunteers who are engaged with various organiser and in various fields. One has only to contact the organiser directly. FIS has a very small but effective administration. But the organiser always have space for interested people.

Şirin Güven: From a sportsman, technical man and organizer point of view, what do you think should Turkish Ski Federation, Technical men of Turkish Team do in order to improve and promote this Sport and have higher goals in the Future?

Walter Hofer: First of all, our federations and national associations are independent members of FIS. We never interfere into their policies. But we are always willing to deliver our expertises and experiences. Many times we send our experts for inspections if they are asked. For the Turkish Ski Federation, I am very pleased to follow the latest development. I have a very good feeling that it goes into the right direction. I am quite convinced that in the near future Turkish athletes will take part on international levels.

Şirin Güven: It's a personal question so I understand if you don't answer it:-) 
What does Walter Hofer do in his private life, when he's not organizing any competition? Any hobbies with adrenalin? Any children involved in ski jumping?

Walter Hofer: Two small girls who are in the meantime grown up ladies cover my whole private live. … and to be honest, I cannot really divide between private and business time. We do a beloved job where working time is not a counting factor.

Ek: Hofer'in bahsettiği ve FIS tarafından belirlenmiş olan jüri, jürinin görevleri ve yarış direktörü hakkında yürürlükte olan mevcut referans kurallarını da İngilizce olarak aşağıda inceleyebilirsiniz.

Reference Rules of FIS

402.1 The Jury 

402.1.1 The Jury consists of the following members: 

- the Technical Delegate (TD) 

- the Chief of the competition 

- the Assistant of the TD. 

402.1.2 The Duties of the Jury 

The Jury must ensure that the entire competition, including the official train-ing sessions, is organised and carried out in accordance with the Rules of the International Competition Rules (ICR). 

The Jury must decide: 

402.1.2.1 From which maximum inrun-length the jumpers must start. 

The length of the inrun must be determined in such a way, that the jumping hill is used to its full capacity. 

For the competition, the Jury is required to meet, once a jump has reached 95 % of the established Hill Size (HS) to consider whether the round of jumps is to continue. The Jury must decide whether the round in progress can be continued with the same inrun speed, or whether it must be cancelled and repeated from a lower starting gate. 

If the jumps are too short, the round can be stopped, cancelled, and started over from a higher gate. In the event that the so called Wind/Gate Compen-sation System is in place, the in-run length can also be changed within a competition round (see art. 422.1). 

402.1.2.2 In which sphere of the wind condition (velocity) the jumper is allowed to start. 

402.1.2.3 The need to interrupt, postpone or cancel the competition. 

402.1.2.4 About the starting order for a competitor who is either delayed arriving at the start due to „force majeure“, or concerning a re-jump for a competitor who has been obstructed. 

In cases in which the Jury cannot take an immediate decision the jump or re-jump may be provisionally granted. This decision must be announced to the public. 33 

402.1.2.5 All protests, disqualifications, sanctions and questions that occur during the competition and are not covered or not covered completely by the ICR Rules and Regulations. 

402.1.3 Decisions 

All decisions by the Jury must be made by open vote and a resolutions-protocol must be drawn up on all decisions which were taken. Each of the members has one vote. All the decisions of the Jury require plain/simple ma-jority. 

The members must vote (agreement or rejection, abstention is not possible) with the following exceptions: 

- member is prevented from voting due to “force majeure”, 

403.2 FIS Race Director (RD) 

This official is nominated by the FIS for competitions of the highest category (see art. 402.2.1). The FIS Race Director must possess a TD-license for Ski Jumping. 

403.2.1 The Duties of the Race Director include: 

- Represents the interests of the International Ski Federation. 

- Schedules and conducts inspections. 

- Supervises that all aspects of the organiser contract are correctly fulfilled. 

- Monitors the proper operation of the event according to the regulations and guidelines of FIS and reports to the resp. Technical Committees. 

- Responsibilities for the coordination of all persons and parties involved. 

- Coordination of decisions concerning postponements and replacements of an event after cancellations. 

The RD has the authority to ask the organising committee for any support deemed necessary to the fulfilling of these tasks.