In a recent video shared on social media, renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog discusses his childhood admiration for the discipline of ski flying, a sport that derives from ski jumping. He highlights his respected athlete in this field, Swiss ski flyer Walter Steiner, whom Herzog featured in his documentary 'The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner' from the 1970s. Herzog reminisces about the profound aesthetic enjoyment he finds in the sport and contrasts it with modern practices, articulating how Steiner seemed to 'transform into a bird' during his flights.

Herzog's reflections lead him to a deeper contemplation of life itself, expressing a whimsical hope to conclude his existence by soaring through the air and vanishing into the unknown. This sentiment resonates not only with Herzog but possibly with other athletes like the Olympic participant mentioned, who dares to partake in a jump reminiscent of this breathtaking experience. Through this narrative, Herzog captures a universal yearning for freedom and transcendence associated with flight.

The article serves as both a tribute to the glory of ski flying and an introspective look at how such disciplines can provoke thoughts on life’s meaning and the desire to escape the confines of reality. Herzog's celebration of this sport underscores the intersection of athleticism, artistry, and philosophy, inviting readers to consider the metaphor of flight as a representation of ambition and the essence of human dreams.