Shortly before the World Cup

“Hand mauled!” Kraft attacked by cat

Stefan Kraft(Bild: GEPA)

High-flyer Stefan Kraft has experienced a week full of unwanted incidents ahead of the Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, which begin on Wednesday. First, the three-time individual ski jumping world champion was slowed down by lumbago, then the neighbor's cat caused flesh wounds on the Salzburg native's hand. 

"It was very exciting and I was distracted a lot. Now I can relax again," said Kraft on Monday during an online media event organized by the ÖSV.

Stefan Kraft with his wife Marisa(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

However, the man from Pongau immediately gave the all-clear and Kraft and his teammates will take off for the season highlight in Norway on Thursday without any restrictions. Following his lumbago after the journey home from Sapporo last Monday, he was unable to move at all for two to three days, said Kraft. However, two successful training sessions on the Bergisel on Thursday and Friday gave the red-white-red record medal winner at the World Championships (13) renewed confidence. "The two sessions made me feel very positive," emphasized Kraft. "Now I'm fine again, my neck is fine so far."

"Then she mauled my hand"
However, the next nasty surprise followed on Saturday. "We let the neighbor's cat in for breakfast and I played nicely with her and stroked her. She really enjoyed it until she suddenly wasn't interested any more. Then she mauled my hand," said Kraft.

The 31-year-old was immediately vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus because of the bleeding scratches and has to take antibiotics for another week for safety reasons to prevent inflammation. After the free, but rather "miserable" week, Kraft was still able to laugh: "As Michi (Hayböck, note) often says: I always need something to make sure I jump well anyway."