15 Aug 2010 at 16:06 | Published by: Hans | Views: 12817 | News search

Manfred Lindmayr receiving price at Nations Cup in Predazzo  (Photo by Paolo Porta 2010)

Interview with Manfred Lindmayr, Austria and Wien

Today Minigolfnews starts a series of interviews called "Off to Predazzo". We will during the following days interview players and coaches that have one thing in common. They are off to Predazzo any day now, with high ambitions.

This interview was done in August 2010. Interviewer is Hans Bergström (HB).

HB: First of all thank you for letting Minigolfnews interview you.

HB: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself to those who don’t know you. Who is Manfred Lindmayr?

ML: I’m 36 years old and live with my girlfriend Lisa Gruber in Vienna. I have studied law at the university of Vienna and now I am working as an editor for a labor-law magazine.

Start of Minigolf career: 1985
Make of club: Nifo
Favourite ball: always the best ball at the respective lane :-)
Favourite surface: Felt and Eternite
Technical tip: The right time to think about technical details is the training, in the competition keep your mind free and have confidence in your skills.

HB: What do you think of your 2010 season so far?

ML: I am very satisfied with the season so far. I had a good performance at the six rounds of the Austrian Team-championship, got two medals at the individual Austria championship (stroke-play and KO) and won the “Nationscup” in Predazzo in May.

HB: You did an astonishing performance in the Nations Cup and really outranked all other competitors, especially on the Beton course. What are your comments on this fact? Are you to be considered as the favorite in Predazzo?

ML: Well, I did a good performance on both courses, indeed. But you have to relativize that a little bit. We had a strong Austrian team with 8 players and 3 coaches, while Germany and Sweden only played with one team.

At the Nationscup this is a big advantage, because of the short practice time. But of course it’s a good feeling to have already been playing well in Predazzo. Nevertheless, I do not see myself as a Favorite for the European Championship. There are many good players who can reach a top position at the competition. If I play well, I will help my team the best to win a medal.

HB: Can you share with us your reflections on last year’s Odense Championship?

ML: I have already participated in 19 World and European Championships, but the WC in Odense was a very special one. I love playing indoor, so I enjoyed the game very much, although I had many troubles with the eternite course.

Even in the thrilling moments the atmosphere in the sports hall was really impressive. And watching the Swedish players at felt is always a pleasure!

HB: A famous match where you participated was the 2007 WC Semi-Final against your Team mate Christian Freilach. How did it feel to play such a important match against a teammate?

ML: In the knock-out competition, for me it makes no difference whether I play against a team mate or against players from Germany, Sweden or any other country. If you really want to win the title, you have to beat all your opponents!

HB: You are soon to be off to Predazzo. What are your hopes about this Championship for the Austrian Teams and for yourself?

ML: We had a good preparation, have been able to gather a lot of experience at the Nations Cup and now going to Italy to win a medal with both teams.

HB: And who of the Austrian Players do you think will have the best chance individually (except yourself of course)?

ML: Basically, all my teammates have the ability to deliver a great performance. Due to their experience I think especially Lisa Gruber, Heinz Weber, Günter Inmann und Christian Gobetz will be at the top of the result list.

HB: And what are the favorites for the gold medals individually in Predazzo do you think?

ML: There are many female and male players who can win a medal in the single competition. In any case the Italian players will play an important part this year.

HB: Are there any nations or players that you think will have a breakthrough this year in Predazzo?

ML: I don’t know. But such a big surprise, as in Sotchi at the Youth World Championship by the Russian girls team will probably not happen in Predazzo.

HB: What is your best moment in your Minigolf Career?

ML: There have happened a lot of positive moments in the 25 years of my career. It’s difficult to highlight one of these as the best; maybe my first international team-medal at the WC 1993 in Askim or the matches on my way to the semifinal at the WC 2007 in Canegrate.

Aside of the sporting success, one of the best things about minigolf is the fact, I met my girlfriend for the first time many years ago.

HB: And the worst?

ML: Losing the team gold medal at the World Championship 1997 in Studen by one stroke against Germany. I will never forget the fight between the last players of each team, Andreas Schallner against Michael Neuland. It was nerve-racking to watch, but unfortunately for us with a negative end.

HB: What is your opinion on the KO-modus in international championships?

ML: I am for the KO-modus, because it’s much fun to play one by one. But I was a great advocate in Austria for the launch of two titles – one in stroke-play and one in KO. The best players after the preliminary rounds should be honored for their fantastic play. So I cannot understand why the Austrian proposal for two championship titles found no majority at the meeting of the Technical commission of the WMF. In so many kind of sports there are a lot of world champions, e.g. swimming or athletics. I see only advantages and no disadvantages.

HB: Have you ever been tempted to try playing in the German Bundesliga or the Swedish Elitserien?

ML: Since my friend Markus Berger plays in the Swedish Elitserien he often asks me to join his team and fight together with his teammates of Tantogarden against Uppsala. This would certainly be fascinating, especially of the playing mode in Sweden. But until now I could resist this temptation. :-)

HB: If you could recruit any player in the world, as long as it’s not an Austrian person, to play for your club who would you pick?

ML: Maybe Jonas Gustafsson. He is a nice guy and an excellent minigolfer.

HB: Again thanks for participating and good luck in Predazzo.

ML: Thank you very much!

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