Golden stick shooters

Inn sport? “Training 20 hours a week!”

Kevin Kronewetter is hoping for an individual medal.(Bild: FBF-Fabian Bleier Fotografie)

Julia Omelko and Kevin Kronewetter from Carinthia took gold in the team competition at the European Curling Championships in Waldkraiburg. Where even a Kenyan is taking part. . .

"I'm on the rink at most twice a year just for fun," says Kevin Kronewetter. "Everything else is hard training!" Carinthia's best stick shooter is currently with the Austrian national team at the European Championships in Waldkraiburg, shooting for medals in the individual target competition on Friday.

It has always been professional at the top level, but there was no top level in Carinthia.

Kevin Kronewetter

Every gram counts
He dispels prejudices: "There's no longer any talk of inn sports. At the top level, we spend up to 20 hours a week on the ice and also train regularly for endurance." Then there's the tinkering with the equipment - every gram counts in curling. "It's always been professional at the top level, but there hasn't really been a top level in Carinthia," says Kronewetter, who is the first Carinthian in the national team since the 1980s.

Julia Omelko shoots at the highest level in the women's target competition.(Bild: Stocksport Austria)

Julia Omelko from EK Feldkirchen is the first Carinthian woman at the top level. She also made it to the final in the individual target competition. "The trick is to stay focused in all rounds. The density is high," emphasizes the 24-year-old.

And the first coup was already achieved yesterday: Omelko and Kronewetter (as well as Sophie Schmutzer/NÖ and Mario Weingartmann/St) claimed the gold medal in the mixed team - a fantastic start. Kronewetter also celebrated silver in the men's team behind Germany!

"Exotic" athletes find their way to major events
More and more other nations are also training at full throttle. In addition to the Austrians, the hosts from Germany, Italy and Switzerland are always and everywhere candidates for medals. "But the sport is getting broader and broader, there are more and more exotic athletes," reports Kevin.

Austria's delegation at the opening ceremony of the European Championships in Germany.(Bild: HERBERT PENDL)

The 31-year-old will be shooting against Finns, Lithuanians and Ukrainians, among others, at the European Championships. But the athletes from Brazil, Guatemala or even Kenya will be really curious - they are also taking part! "They're not shooting for the title, but they're allowed to take part because they don't have continental championships this year," says Kronewetter, who is also in contact with the "exotic" athletes in Waldkraiburg.

"It doesn't do me any harm"
"They ask us a lot for tips. I'm happy to give advice because I know that I'm not necessarily doing myself any harm. The difference in class is still too big."