Here on my website I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce myself a bit. Maybe you've already asked yourself some questions - well, here are the answers ;-)
Who is that person behind FNCA?
My name is Gabriela Gierke, 25 years old and I'm from Germany. After graduating from school, I went to university to become a teacher. But after 2 years I realised that I didn't want to do this for the rest of my life. Also at that time my childhood-based interest in Ski Jumping was refueled and I started watching Nordic Combined as well. So I made the most important decision in my life so far - I quit my studies and instead took part in a 1-year-volunteering-programme to reorientate. I spent my time from 09/2014 until 09/2015 working for the VSC Klingenthal. My main tasks were supporting the coaches of the childrens' training groups, helping at the boarding house of our local training centre and organising national and international competitions. I'm very grateful for getting the chance to learn from an ex-World Cup B coordinator and all the other amazing people in Klingenthal! And I was able to try SJ and CC-skiing myself :-) From 10/2015 until 10/2018 I had a traineeship and am now working as a physiotherapist.
Why Nordic Combined?
I have to admit that I like NC a bit more than SJ. A competition is not simply over after some crazy guys have jumped from a hill. No, there's even more excitement when they fight for positions on the cross-country track afterwards! I love the thrill of watching and cheering the athletes on. Also SJ and CC-skiing are such contrasting disciplines (e.g. concerning muscle fibres) - so when athletes are able to combine those two and reach good results in this sport, then for me there's clearly some hard work in it. And some magic, too!
Why Team Finland?
I have been asked this many times and I always like to say that I don't really know it myself. But honestly speaking, the truth is just too crazy... ;-) What I like about Finnish athletes and people from Suomi in general is their openminded, friendly, helpful, polite and funny character. Also I've heard they are in possession of something called "Sisu", which amongst many other things means they don't give up - no matter how hard the situation is!