What is the special attraction of the Winter Pentathlon for you?
It’s an opportunity to do everything you can experience in the Engadin in one day. You can also enjoy all the best things about the Engadin – the lake, the Stazerwald forest with its cross-country skiing, the bobsleigh run. It offers something that other places don't. And for me, it's also an opportunity to spend time with my family.

You mean it is a family affair?
Yes, both my father and I took part in the first and second years. This year, my brother will also be competing. We each have our strengths in the different disciplines, and we have varying levels of ambition. My father was very ambitious in the beginning, but after the difficult weather conditions last year, it’s more about having fun for him now. For me, it is exactly the opposite – I am more ambitious now than when I first started (laughs). That is also because I have been training a lot.

Training for five disciplines can’t be easy. How did you prepare?
It's mostly all about endurance. The treadmill in the gym helps - as do these ski trainer machines. You can't really train for ice skating and bobsleighing, but that makes cross-country skiing here in the Engadin all the better. And the most important thing is to have confidence in yourself.

It isn’t exactly a gentle start on race day either…
No, it’s not. It starts with the ski touring course, which involves climbing around 800 metres - at 7 o'clock in the morning! You literally roll out of bed and get right on your skis. That's also the most challenging discipline for me.

What is your favourite discipline?
Cross-country skiing. I know what to expect, even if it is exhausting - and I trust my skis. The giant slalom is also special because you do it on touring skis. I also feel comfortable on the ice - my mum was a figure skater, so that helps. And I run the Cresta, so I'm used to the speed and the different forces involved in bobsleighing. But it's different sitting in a box than lying on a sled - which I prefer (laughs).

Helena von Opel and the <br> Winter Pentathlon