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Oberstdorf (dpa) - Shortly before the World Cup, Eric Frenzel was not only in demand for training on the ski jump or on the cross-country ski run.
As a substitute teacher in homeschooling, he supported his eldest son with the tasks.
"Especially when it comes to math, I'm happy that I can still help," says the 32-year-old Nordic combined athlete.
His calculation of sporting triumphs is both simple and impressive: in addition to three Olympic gold medals, there are seven world championship titles - not counting numerous other podium places.
It is not for nothing that Frenzel has the reputation of being the king of major events.
Starting with the individual on Friday (10.15 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. / ARD and Eurosport 2), he wants to do this again at the home World Cup in Oberstdorf and fight for his eleventh gold at a big season highlight.
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“The goal is to be at the top,” says Frenzel, who goes into the competitions as a co-favorite but not a top favorite.
«I know that it is possible if it goes well.
But I would also be satisfied if I knew that I gave the best I had that day. "
The Saxon is not particularly nervous.
He knows: when it came down to it, he could mostly rely on himself and his body.
"You are more relaxed because you have found your peace over time and know what can happen to you," says Frenzel, describing the advantages of his experience.
He celebrated his first world title ten years ago in Oslo.
In 2019 in Seefeld he won two golds and one silver.
"I trust him to do that again," says national coach Hermann Weinbuch without hesitation.
The combiners' success coach admires Frenzel's ability to deliver to the point.
«Here he is an artist.
So I'm very hopeful that he can bring that together, ”says Weinbuch.
The head coach describes his protégé, who is outbid by four-time season winner Vinzenz Geiger within the team this winter, as a balanced type, “who has inner calm and self-confidence without taking off.
That’s worth a lot.
He always finds the right balance. "
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His family, wife Laura and the three children also help him with this.
Unlike, for example, the ski jumpers who competed in a World Cup in Romania last weekend, the travel stress for Frenzel and his station wagon colleagues was limited in the past few weeks.
Corona-related competitions were canceled, instead training took place at home.
"You could calm down again and take the stress out of the whole situation around," says Frenzel.
"Just to live comfortably with the family: That was definitely good."
Just like the signing of jump coach Heinz Kuttin last May.
The Austrian brought the combiners at least a little closer to the best jumpers around Norway's high-flyer Jarl Magnus Riiber.
"We have already noticed that we are stuck a bit and not really making progress," says Frenzel about the change in the post from Ronny Ackermann to the former special jumper.
"So it was very happy that we found Heinz."
In the preseason Frenzel didn't even make it onto the World Cup podium, this winter he was on it three times after individual races.
Not at the very top, however.
It would not be atypical for the master of highlights if it happened in the Allgäu of all places.
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