Farewell at the zenith

Herrmann: “Have always been able to enjoy the sport”

Jakob Herrmann is turning his back on ski mountaineering competitions.

(Bild: the.adventure.bakery | Philipp Reiter)

For many years, ski mountaineer Jakob Herrmann practiced his sport at the highest level. He was always a force to be reckoned with at competitions, but now he is turning his back on racing and only competes in the summer. The Werfenwenger looks back on some wonderful years.

What a winter! Ski mountaineer Jakob Herrmann has had a very eventful few months. He broke the 24-hour world record of his friend Kilian Jornet in Radstadt, crossed the Pyrenees with his buddy Philipp Reiter and finished on the podium in the classic Pierra Menta. On Friday, he took third place again with ÖSV athlete Paul Verbnjak at the Sellaronda ski marathon in the Dolomites. The finish there was also his last as a ski mountaineer.

Welcomed by his parents and wife Andrea, he crossed the finish line in Italy for the last time as a ski mountaineer after a race. "It was very emotional because I knew it was my last race. That's why it was rather tough, I wasn't in such a relaxed mood," says Herrmann about his farewell race. His colleague Paul Verbnjak warned him shortly before the end that there would be a surprise at the finish. "My sponsor Dynafit surprised me," said the Werfenwenger, not wanting to make the decision public just yet.

Fun and motivation were no longer there
But now the cat is out of the bag. Why is he turning his back on the battle for time and against opponents? "I realized that I wasn't enjoying it as much anymore and that I wasn't as motivated. Because it's a wonderful sport. It used to be a passion and a balance and I want to keep it that way, that I enjoy going out and that it's not a must." Herrmann said goodbye to the World Cup and the ÖSV national team two years ago. The only downer: he never won the Pierra Menta. The 36-year-old tried again and again, but it was never enough for the top spot on the podium. He came close in 2018, but Kilian Jornet broke his foot.

When asked about his greatest success, the down-to-earth athlete immediately shoots from the gun: "I've always been accident-free. I've had wonderful races and have always been able to enjoy the sport." Then there is the victory at the Mountain Attack and the brilliant performance at the end of January in Radstadt, when he broke the 24-hour record by a clear margin.

Many competitions to follow in summer
But fans need not worry. The list of goals has not gotten any smaller, Jakob has a lot planned for the summer and will continue to compete. He also wants to build up something else. The passionate chef would possibly like to go down this route. "But I don't know exactly which direction yet." What he does know for sure is that he is privileged: "I get to do sport and be outdoors!"