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Konstantin Schad stands up following set-backs

Konstantin Schad is one of the young and up-coming snowboard cross riders from Germany who emerged on the top of the podium last winter. Having started his career in snowboarding rather late at the age of eleven, the Bavarian quickly got hooked by his new passion.

Ever since, the 25-year-old, who represented his home country at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, has worked hard and with dedication to become who he is now; a top rider in a young and growing sport which he believes will be the next big thing in Europe coming from across the ocean with the usual 10-year delay to the European sports world.

However, despite still being in his mid-twenties, Schad also had to handle a lot of set-backs already. Over the past years, he repeatedly had problems with his knee, shoulder and lots of minor injuries, forcing him to come back again and again.

Just a few weeks ago, he sadly lost his father, a fact which made his first World Cup win in last season's final race at Valmalenco, Italy even more valuable.

FIS Newsflash: Konstantin, you had your most successful season last winter, then you lost your father. How do you feel?

Konstantin: “I’m just unbelievably grateful that I get to do what I love and that my parents have always supported me through all the difficult years with injuries and stuff. I managed to win my first World Cup with both of them present after they had also been there for a lot of disappointments in prior competitions and never stopped showing up.

Even though my father had been suffering from pancreatic cancer for the last three years, I never thought it was going to be the last race he would get to see, so that now makes it very special and I know it made him very happy.”

FIS Newsflash: You train hard to stay in shape, also during summer and just joined your first on-snow camp. What is your favorite exercise?

Konstantin: “Well there's a lot of stuff that you just have to do to get in shape. Some's fun, some's not, but you gotta do it anyway.
The sweet thing about being a snowboarder though, is that there's all that other board sport that you can have fun with and still gain something for the one you compete in. I personally enjoy surfing and skateboarding a lot.”

FIS Newsflash: What is the best/worst about summer training?

Konstantin: “The best is definitely to be at home for a change. In my hometown and in Munich I have everything I need, even great surfing opportunities.
The worst part is not being able to walk properly for three days after the first workout with 100kg squats.”

FIS Newsflash: If during training, some musician in your IPod could come to life, who would it be and why?

Konstantin: “Even though they are still pretty alive, I would choose the young Stones and just skip training to see what their plans for a night on the town would look like.“

FIS Newsflash: If you could go for a swim anywhere in the world this summer, where would it be?

Konstantin: “Fiji. But that would mean only a little swimming and a lot of paddling...”

FIS Newsflash: What is your vision for the coming winter season?

Konstantin: “Powder 'n' podiums. Loads of both, I hope.”

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