The exceptionally talented Norwegian Phillip Sjoeen
talks about how he handles defeat and what distinguishes
him from other athletes.
Phillip Sjoeen made his debut on the international
stage in Notodden in southern Norway. In January
2012 he competed in the Continental Cup for the
first time, but he couldn't score points during
his first season. In the same year he closely missed
the podium at the Junior World Championships in
Erzurum, Turkey and finished fourth. He was then
highly motivated for the team competition a few
days later and won Gold together with his Norwegian
teammates.
Following a few competitions in the summer Continental
Cup, he made his debut in the Grand Prix on October
3rd, 2013 in the final event of the FIS Grand Prix
in Klingenthal. Sjoeen scored his first points with
a very good 26th place and convinced Norwegian head
coach Alex Stoeckl.
This summer, the 18-year-old already participated
in the opener of the FIS Grand Prix in Wisla, Poland.
In training he amazed everyone with the longest
jump of the day, but the weekend was unlucky for
him. In the individual competition he was disqualified
because his suit was not compliant to the rules
and a day later he fell in the first round of the
team competition. So the Norwegian team came in
only fourth.
"I was very happy about being named on the
team", the Norwegian youngster explained. "It
was a big chance for me because the question was:
Tom (Hilde) or me. Of course it would have been
better not to fall in the first round, but this
can happen!"
Motivation comes through fans
It's not easy to still believe in yourself after
such a setback. But Phillip Sjoeen has a simple
solution for a lack of motivation: "I made
two mistakes, the other jumps were very good. I
get my motivation from the fans, because it's a
lot of fun to jump far in front of such a great
crowd!"
In the upcoming competitions the Norwegian now wants
to keep his performances on this good level and
just make some minor technical changes. He doesn't
want to tell what these changes are about, but he
already has a clear goal for the winter. "My
goal is to be on the team for the World Championships
in Falun!" In addition he is hoping to compete
in various World Cup events and show consistent
performances on snow.
Sjoeen trinks no alcohol and doesn't go on vacation
in summer, like other World Cup athletes. With his
good performances recently he raises the pressure
within the Norwegian team
"I'm focused on myself. I motivate myself with
good performances and this always pushes me. Everything
else is just a distraction." Despite some injuries
and a break of a year, the young athlete never stopped
believing in himself.
"I'm working a lot and hard. I spend hours
in the gym and it's very motivating to see how fast
the good results are coming", he tells and
sums up the difference between him and others: "A
lot of training!", and of course the focus
on yourself. Phillip Sjoeen doesn't compare his
performances with others, he tries to bring out
the best in himself.
The young Norwegian is still new in the World Cup,
but he has a bright future ahead of him. Sjoeen
knows what he wants and is ready to make sacrifices
in life. This motivation together with his talent
makes him an exceptional athlete who can make his
way to the top.
"I think I will train my telemark“
At the FIS Grand Prix in Einsiedeln Sjoeen once
again proved his talent. With 111 m he was on a
strong sixth place after the first round. In the
final he then didn't have luck on his side again.
After a jump on 115 m he lost balance and fell before
the line. "My timing is wrong at every landing
and then I fall. I think I'll train my telemark
landing until next weekend", he said after
his jump. But still the talent finished 19th with
374.4 points.
