Alpine SkiingFEMININE ALPINE SKIING
2007 Getty Images
Chiara Costazza, ex slalomista of the blue team, told Naveitalia, after the withdrawal from the white circus, her career in the World Cup and her plans for the future.
Friday 29 March 2019 7 minutes reading time
What made you decide to stop competing?
It was not an easy choice, because I was in a good position in the World Cup specialty ranking and I was skiing well. But lately I haven't been able to do that little bit more about the results, I haven't been able to improve myself, so I decided to try doing something else. I'd like to see what's outside of an athlete's life. I also have some physical ailments and the identity card is not really in my favor, I am among the oldest athletes of the circuit. Although I still have a great desire to ski, I have chosen to change my life.
The victory in the Lienz slalom in 2007. What memories do you have of that day?
They are indelible memories. Unfortunately it was my only victory, but it will always remain in my heart. In reality, all that skiing gave me will remain in my heart because I had so many joys, but also suffering. It will surely be a chapter of my life that I will remember with so much love. I have been skiing since I was little, it has always been my dream to get to the national team and compete in the World Cup. I have always been determined in pursuing my dreams and winning a victory has been one of the greatest satisfactions I have ever achieved to date.
For one season you have been out of competition due to the Achilles tendon injury. How did you experience the injury?
Unfortunately I had a lot of problems related to the injury that penalized me even in the following three years. I was out of a season, but when I returned I always had a lot of physical problems related to the tendon. I didn't have a fast recovery because there were a lot of complications. An injury for an athlete is penalizing, it is difficult to find the right confidence on the skis and on the different types of snow, especially when there is poor visibility. It is difficult for an athlete to return to high levels. I was no longer able to make great results, but I managed to get back in the top 15 of the ranking and it was a satisfaction for me.
After the victory in Lienz and third place, again in 2007, in Reiteralm, you were no longer able to get on the podium. What was the reason for you?
The Achilles tendon injury made me stand still for a long time and I had a lot of problems. From a physical point of view I have always remained a little bit further back, and even in my head you no longer have that fluency and confidence to throw yourself at 100%. A bit penalized me for the results.
Is there a dream in the drawer that you failed to crown?
Surely the aspiration of any athlete is to win a medal, be it Olympic or worldwide. I never succeeded and it was always one of my goals. But I was lucky enough to participate in four Olympic Games and five World Cups. For me it was a career to be crowned.
If you came back would you change something in your career?
No, I wouldn't change anything. Obviously, without injuries life would be easier, but every athlete has his own path, he finds negative moments that are then rewarded by positive ones. I wouldn't change anything, I'm happy and satisfied like that.
In the women's slalom it is hard to find young athletes, although Lara Della Mea has joined this year. What is your reason?
Some girls are growing up. Slalom is a very difficult specialty. You have to train a lot, do lots of passes in the posts. It takes a lot of time and energy, because in the end being a very fast and fast specialty you need to be ready for anything. It's easy to go wrong and get out. The results are more difficult to obtain. As I said before, I think there are young people who are growing up so we trust in a better female slalom.
In all these years of career, who do you think was the strongest slalom?
Marlies Shild will always remain my favorite athlete and my reference athlete. Now there is Mikaela Shiffrin who is a phenomenon, a natural talent, no one knows how she manages to win big. She is currently number 1. There are also many girls who do not win all the races, but who are always there in front.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like not to break away completely from this world, I would like to convey something to the youngest. So I'd like to have an experience as a coach, even if now I must first realize that my life as an athlete is over.
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