Nina Fahrner: You have to look up to see the stars

May 05, 2019By Sabrina Binia Lanschützer

I fought many battles with myself before I learned to focus fully on one thing and put aside my nervousness, such as when racing. Competing in a competition, regardless of the sport or situation in life, is never just a question of physical strength, but also of mental strength. – Nina Fahrner.

I grew up in the heart of Austria's beautiful mountains, in Zell am See. I was drawn to the mountains from an early age, but when my little brother gave me a voucher for a 'downhill day' for my 20th birthday, it was like I had found what I was always looking for. The adrenaline rush was unbelievable and it was clear from the first moment that this sport would never let me go. Shortly thereafter I began studying physics in Graz, but after two years I couldn't stand it any longer in this city without mountains and moved my studies to Innsbruck, where I spend every free minute in the mountains.
For a long time I thought about which story I would like to tell to give you an insight into my sport. But the truth is that recounting a single experience just isn't enough to understand how to fully indulge in this passion. Rather, it's the many small events that make downhilling so special for me.

"Happiness is the only thing that doubles when shared." - Albert Schweitzer

This sport has played a very important and large role in my life from the very beginning. Basically, it's not a team sport and yet I've never experienced such cohesion before. You spend the days together on the mountain, have a good laugh together, help each other through difficult injury breaks and enjoy the unique atmosphere at competitions in the group. You actually become a family with whom you share a fascination that falls on deaf ears elsewhere. Someone who cannot understand the fascination with this sport has as much understanding for our constant search for the 'sacred trail' as we humans have for extraterrestrials. That's definitely a downside to devoting all your free time to something that the non-cycling part of your circle of friends doesn't understand. Because if splashes of drinking and bathing are exchanged for mountains and trails and bruises and splints for accessories, then one or the other friendship suffers a lot as a result.
When I think about the last few years on the bike, the sport has given me a thousand times more than it has taken. Since I started cycling, I have personally developed a lot.

I also took this mental strength with me for life situations outside of sport. I've learned that you have to stand up for your rights when you're being treated unfairly, but also have the ability to admit your own guilt.
I was once asked if I believed in the 'power of thought'. I also find the answer to this in sport, because it made me realize that I have to fight for things that mean something to me. In my opinion, positive thinking is certainly a good tool, but you have to stand up and show your toughness to push the boundaries of what is possible.

"All strength is known only through obstacles which it can overcome." - Immanuel Kant

My brother sometimes affectionately calls me an icicle because I often find it difficult to fully engage in what I definitely consider to be one of my greatest weaknesses. However, if I have taken someone into my heart, their happiness is higher than mine and I often worry too much. Here, too, my sport helps me to take my mind off things and to react in difficult situations. On my bike, the adrenaline pumps through my whole body, I forget everything around me and enjoy the freedom. I think everyone should have an outlet like this - even if it's just spinning a L'AMOTION ring while you're thinking.

I've learned over the past few years that dissatisfaction with yourself is the best kind. At least there is a solution - get up, make a plan and fight for your own happiness! That's why my message, which accompanies me throughout my life, is: You have to look up to be able to see the stars.