In third place, the 32-year-old fulfilled a childhood dream in the cauldron of Innsbruck following the recent past didn’t go smoothly physically due to a herniated disc. Now one of Hayböck’s favorite ski jumps, Bischofshofen, is waiting for the tour finale.
After the relief in Innsbruck, the following night was a little rough for Hayböck. “I didn’t sleep really well, it was a lot to process,” said Stefan Kraft’s long-time roommate and added with a laugh. “Normally a truck might drive through the room and I wouldn’t wake up.”
“Things are going great”
In October 2021, Hayböck had to undergo a spinal disc operation, he missed the Olympic Games in Beijing and then missed the podium several times in fourth place. “I’ve wanted the podium place for a long time. That was simply ideal, in front of the home crowd on Bergisel,” said the Salzburg resident with joy. The back rarely causes problems anymore. “I’m feeling great. I already know what I have to do.” The rest day was also very good.
Kraft was very happy with his closest ski jumping friend. “Normally he always waited for me downstairs and then cheered with me. Now it was the other way around,” said the Pongauer. Hayböck has had a really tough time. “He’s brutally humping at home and doing a lot for his back. The atmosphere in the room is perfect. Unless he lands in front of me a few more times,” emphasized Kraft and laughed.
A well-coordinated team
The two spend their free time together going to the sauna, playing cards, table tennis or Mario Kart. Hayböck is clearly superior to his roommate when it comes to racing games on the console. “Michi always takes the lead. Because he has Player 1, he has a slight advantage,” said Kraft with a wink. “He always has that excuse,” replied Hayböck. “We tease each other, it’s pure fun.” In a sense, Kraft is also a surrogate wife for Hayböck. “We can at least talk regarding everything and don’t mince words,” said Hayböck, who married his partner Claudia in church last summer.
Image: (GEPA pictures)
Now the final of the Four Hills Tournament awaits in Bischofshofen; Hayböck already triumphed in Pongau in 2015. “Normally I find it easier there and I certainly gain a lot of self-confidence,” said the fifth overall on the tour and announced. “I know exactly that if I do two good jumps, I can be enough for the podium once more.”
