EHC Red Bull München: Double interview with Markus Eisenschmid & Alina Kornelli

Wednesday, 24. July 2024 | EHC Red Bull München: Double interview with Markus Eisenschmid & Alina Kornelli

Summer training, new season, Olympic support: Markus Eisenschmid in conversationDouble interview with our number 11 and his girlfriend// NEWSWhile Markus Eisenschmid starts his second season with the Red Bulls at the beginning of August, his girlfriend Alina Kornelli is about to make her debut. The 24-year-old will be competing at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

After a break of almost four months, our attacker is in the final stages of his individual summer preparation. “It was a great time, I'm a summer person anyway. Even 30 degrees isn't too hot for me. But now we can get going again,” says Eisenschmid, eagerly looking forward to team training on the ice.

After our number 11 moved to the Red Bulls last summer, there is no need to get used to a new team and a new environment this year. “That's a bonus I have now. I didn't have to move and was able to go through my training relaxed,” he explains. “Now I know everything and can fully focus on my performance.”

Although there will be a move again soon. Namely to the SAP Garden. But the attacking player is only too happy to accept this spatial change. “The gym in the old hall was already very small,” says the attacker with a laugh. “Now we have a lot more space.” The Kaufbeuren native is also very excited about the recovery area and the larger, ultra-modern cabins and is full of anticipation.

Highlights Markus Eisenschmid | Saison 2023/24

“Want to bring the championship back to Munich”

Together with his teammates, Eisenschmid wants to go on the attack again from the start of the PENNY DEL season in the Red Bulls' new home. After all, the goals are big. “We want to be back in the Champions League next year and bring the championship back to Munich. We certainly have the potential to do that,” the 29-year-old makes clear.

Workouts, cycling and surfing: Variety in everyday training

To achieve this, Eisenschmid has been hard at work in summer training over the past few months. Almost always at his side: girlfriend Alina Kornelli. The 24-year-old is one of the world's best kitesurfers and is now fulfilling a big dream. Kornelli is taking part in the 2024 Summer Olympics for Austria.

Eisenschmid is also a passionate surfer in his spare time. It is therefore no surprise that the two met almost four years ago through their shared passion. “But she's so much better than me,” he admits with a wink.

Since April, the ice hockey pro has accompanied his Alina, first to the successful Olympic qualifiers in the south of France and later to the World Championships in the same place. In between, the two treated themselves to a few days' vacation in Spain. After three weeks at home in Bavaria, they then went to Marseille together for four weeks for Alina's last training block. And thus to the spot where the Olympics will be held.

The pair of athletes were therefore mostly surrounded by sun, beach and sea - and sweaty work. After a few days off, the Red Bulls striker worked hard on his training program. He often started his workouts before 8:00 in the morning. “I was in the gym every day, then I went cycling,” he reveals. After work, Eisenschmid used the afternoon for regeneration and surfing. “I had a great mix and was able to work through my program optimally. But I was also able to switch off from ice hockey and pursue my hobby.” After all, that's part of the summer for every ice hockey player.

Alina Kornelli ahead of her Olympic debut

While Eisenschmid is now focusing on the start of training with the Red Bulls, things will get really serious for Kornelli in a few days' time. The Munich-born athlete, whose mother is from Linz, wants to bring home an Olympic medal from France for Austria. After the big opening ceremony in Paris on July 26 and a night in the Olympic Village in the French capital, the next stop will be Marseille. The competitions will take place on the water there - and so will kitesurfing. And for the first time ever, because this sport has never been an Olympic sport before!

“Believe that anything is possible”

From August 4 to 8, Kornelli will compete against 19 other female athletes (one from each nation) in the speed discipline in a total of 16 races for the fastest times, with each race lasting around ten to 15 minutes. The 13 best results will then be ranked, with the top ten riders taking gold, silver and bronze on the final day. The wave rider has set her sights high for her Olympic premiere, as the course in Marseille is quite demanding and windy. Kornelli has the advantage.

“Above all, I'm technically far ahead and relatively good when the conditions are more difficult. With lots of wind and waves. So I assume that I'll make it to the final day,” she says, ”and then I believe that anything is possible.” Eisenschmid has a similar view. “I think her mindset is good. She has worked towards this for four years. Now she should enjoy it and do her best. Then we'll see what comes out of it.”

The Red Bulls are definitely keeping their fingers crossed, dear Alina!