Christmas instead of Four Hills preparation for retired Eisenbichler

Former world champion Markus Eisenbichler of Germany is not missing ski jumping as he looks forward to his first Christmas since retiring from the sport.

"You can make it a little more festive. You can eat an extra steak and have an extra beer," Eisenbichler said at a Eurosport media event.

Ski jumpers normally prepare over Christmas for the Four Hills Tour which starts on Monday in Oberstdorf.

That no longer applies for Eisenbichler who ended his career after the past season. He won six world titles, including from the large hill in 2019, an Olympic bronze, and was a Four Hills and overall World Cuo runner-up.

"I don't miss jumping myself," he said, adding that he is enjoying life after high performance sport and has become more relaxed.

However, he is still part of the sport as a Eurosport pundit and still feels a big attachment.

"I did it for so long and put so much heart and soul into it. It simply remains a part of you," he said.