Q. How did you feel when you got the message you had won World Press Photo?

A. When I got the message that I won the World Press Photo Award in the category "Sports" I was in Chamonix, France for FIS Alpine World cup races. As I was in the mountains I had no internet connection and so one of my colleagues was the first who called me before I could read the mail from World Press Photo Association. In the first moment I could not really believe, that I really won. But when I realized, that it is really true I was more than happy and absolutely proud and satisfied.

Q. What reaction have you had from your fellow photographers?

A. The reactions where really positive. I think everybody was absolutely happy with me.

Q. What are the most important non-camera equipment you take with you on a shoot?

A. There are some very important non-camera equipment items I take with me. In winter I always have additional gloves, hand-warmers and in case crampons with me. In summer I never forget a sun-blocker. And a bottle of water is always with me.

Q. How do you decide how to approach a project? Do you prepare extensively or shoot more reactively when you arrive at a location?

A. I always try to have a plan before I go to a shoot. But when you shoot outdoor there are so much factors you can not plan. So I would say I try to prepare extensively and I'm ready to react on any factor which has influence on my shoot.

Q. Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

A. It is hard to say what is my biggest inspiration. There are so much really good photographers all over the world who inspired me. I always try to keep my eyes open and let me inspire from pictures and photographers which impress me.

Q. What was the best piece of advise you have been given as a photographer?

A. The best advice that I ever got was, that I should always go my own way. It is important to be inspired by others, but never try to copy somebodies work.

Q. What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

A. The same advice I would give to my younger self. And keep on trying to get some special shots.

Q. Can you share a memorable experience of working that has stuck in your mind?

A. There are lots of memorable experiences in my mind. For example a few years ago I was at a FIS World Cup race in Beaver Creek, CO, USA. We had about -28 degrees celsius and I had no additional gloves with me. On that day I learned, that it is not bad to carry additional gloves and hand-warmers with me.

Q. What’s next for you, what projects are you working on in the next few months?

A. My next steps are the FIS World Cup Finals in Sankt Moritz, Switzerland at the end of March. In June I go to France for the UEFA European Championships. And my highlight this year are the Olympic Games in Rio in August.

I know that Christian has managed to get his handed on the latest Canon EOS-1DX Mark II so you should check out his facebook page to see how he gets on with this new camera in the wild. You can check out more about Christian on his Facebook page.

You can check out the GEPA website here.