(eca126) Simon Ammann reflects on the past and present (News Feature)

By John Bagratuni Feb 14, 2010, 0:00 GMT

Whistler, Canada - Simon Ammann pumped his fists, made the victory sign but also took a deep bow before the ski-jumping hill on which he had just won a third Olympic gold medal.

Ammann, 28, felt quite reflective because Saturday's normal gold came eight years after his double triumph at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

Another Olympics in North America, and double gold again not out of the question. He is now tied with Finn Matti Nykaenen on three individual Olympic ski-jump golds.

'It is unbelievable that eight years later I am back here, with a lot of energy and confidence and strength. I was ready,' he said.

'Eight years ago when I was first here, it was very different. I was fresh and I had no memory of previous events. Today I have all the memories of a long career.

'I have to carry a burden with all the memories of my career. Eight years ago it was easier for me because I was new. Now I am back on top of the world.'

Ammann became the toast of the 2002 Games with his surprise titles as a 20-year-old, his looks earning him the nickname Harry Potter for a while.

He went on to get his first World Cup win at the end of the 2002 season before virtually disappearing into anonymity due to terrible form for four and a half years.

He returned with a bang with the large hill world title 2007 in Sapporo in a season where he got his first World Cup win since 2002 and five further podium finishes.

'Winning at the Olympics was great. For me to come back and win here is very important for my career,' he said in Japan.

'I always believed in it, worked hard for it and had a lot of patience. I am calmer now, that led me back to success. Over the past years I thought a lot about life and myself. The key issue is to look at the positive things and to stay calm.'

He also buried Harry Potter in Sapporo, saying: 'It was a big thing at the time (in 2002), but I don't care what the people call me. I prefer my own story, despite the lows.'

Ammann has been consistent ever since and came to Whistler as the World Cup leader with a career-best five season wins.

This good form added to his confidence and he held off Polish veteran Adam Malysz and Austrian Gregor Schlierenzauer in style with the longest jump in each round, 105m and a hill record 108m.

But, looking at the tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Numaritashvili during training in Whistler on Friday, Ammann also spoke of luck.

'Since yesterday we know that life is tough. Life does not always go the way you want it to. That is why I want to cherish the moments and I've had a lot of luck in my career and also today.