End of professional sport

Ski jumping record holder: “I killed myself”

Peter Prevc has written himself into the history books of ski jumping.(Bild: APA/AFP/Jure Makovec)

Peter Prevc ended his impressive ski jumping career last weekend and has now also given an insight into the darker hours. After his historic 2015/16 season, he had put himself under too much pressure. This made his almost fairytale farewell in front of his home crowd all the more beautiful. 

There were emotions that can hardly be described. The last tour of his farewell tour from the sport of ski jumping took Prevc to his home country of all places. And there, in front of thousands of Slovenian fans in Planica, he was able to celebrate a victory last Friday.

It was the first victory in almost four years and one that gave the 31-year-old a conciliatory farewell. His career was characterized by records, but also a deep fall, as he has now revealed to "ZDF". 

After Prevc celebrated an almost perfect season in 2015/16 - 15 World Cup victories (a record to this day), winner of the Four Hills Tournament and Ski Flying World Champion - the fall that came as a surprise to many followed. According to Prevc, he had put himself under too much pressure: "I kind of killed myself." This triggered a mental block.

More time for the family
The Slovenian maneuvered himself further and further into a vicious circle. The worse his results were, the more he demanded of himself: "I was too hard on myself and couldn't find a way out," admits the Slovenian today. 

Although the 31-year-old managed to get out of his slump, he was never able to build on the successes of the past. Now he has drawn a line: "There are a hundred reasons to continue, but also a hundred reasons to stop. It's the right time, while I'm still young enough and can start again, to do something else - and spend more time with my family".