Expert Interview: Christian Leicht is in charge of telemark skiing for the German Ski Association (DSV). He had many successes as a steep skier, but he wanted more. That’s what he found in telemarking.
Christian LeichtChristian Leicht is in charge of telemark skiing for the German Ski Association (DSV). He had many successes as a steep skier, but he wanted more. That’s what he found in telemarking.
Describe telemarking in three words.
Fresh. Free. Fascinating.
What exactly makes it so fascinating?
A telemark beginner may want to make an impression, to stand out. But the true skiers appreciate the free interaction with the snow. The heel is free. This opens new possibilities with smooth or bumpy pistes, or with deep snow. As a skier, you have to feel how the movements take effect if you want to develop a good technique.
How do you see the future of telemarking?
Very optimistically! The number of telemark skiers has been growing steadily for years and Germany is a leading country in this discipline. Tobias Müller from Oberstdorf is the best telemark skier in the world. Now we just need to have telemark skiing in the Olympics.