It's a bit hard to imagine what exactly that means, but according to 7ToHeaven (originally: 7doUspeha), this was an important detail that contributed to Maze winning two titles of an olympic champion and the overall World Cup crystal globe in the 2012/13 season. The film premiered in Kranj on Friday and features Slovenia's best female ski champion and ski expert Sandi Murovec - Muri, who reveal the seven key "secrets" that helped bring Maze an advantage above her competitors. According to the film, these are seven axioms on how to get into ski heaven. They are explained thoroughly, with incredible footage and, first and foremost, with a special touch that only Tina Maze can give.
"I couldn't even tell my own name when I was interviewed"
The film is undoutedly excellent in terms of production quality and will be a useful "handbook" for ski trainers as well as alpine skiers who seek perfection on their road to success. Tina Maze, who explains in detail what the axioms mean, had not felt relaxed in front of the camera at the start of her career but that, too, has changed: "The camera was not my friend at first, but since this was the age of technology I had no other option. It's no longer such taboo as in 1998, when I couldn't even tell my own name during an interview for Eurosport. I'm relaxed now and I have no fear of speaking in front of the camera." Even though Maze has not competed since March 2015, she still feels at home on the ski run: "I still have enough technique so that we could make the film spontaneously. The fact that my career is drawing to a close, has made this project even more special and emotional."
Still in heaven when skiing
To return to the English title of the film (7ToHeaven) in the light of her career being practically over – interestingly, she still feels like she is in heaven when skiing: "Now I'm even more in heaven. I don't get stopped by poles, I have the freedom to do whatever I want, I make a turn wherever I want. The older I got, the more problems I had with the poles, it was too aggressive. I'll miss my fans and their excitement with my achievements a bit. Skiing will remain my freedom for my entire life. What means the most to me, however, is that I haven't ended up hating this sport, even after all the practice and the poles. Just the opposite – I still adore skiing."
The last ski chapter of Slovenia's perfectionist skier will take place on 7 January in Maribor. "I've had some practice, so there should be something to show. I have no illusions; I know I can't win anymore. I won't risk it."
Tomaž Okorn, MMC; translated by K. Z.
