Alpine SkiingFEMALE ALPINE SKIING
Elena Curtoni, the 27-year-old Valtellina, is ready to start the Ski World Cup races after two injuries that last year forced her to skip a whole season: the fracture of the left leg astragus in March 2017 and the breaking of the right knee crusader in November 2017.
Friday 12 October 2018 8 minutes reading time
How did the training in Argentina go?
I worked crusaders and meniscus in November and I started skiing again after 7 months. So I had some time to prepare for the trip to Argentina. I'm happy with the training, it went better than I expected. I thought I could not ski more than three, four consecutive days and instead I skied only one day less than the other girls, so I'm satisfied. I came home with a smile.
When did you put your skis on for the first time after your knee injury?
I put the skis on for the first time on June 26th. I went skiing for a dozen non-consecutive days with my dad at Les Deux Alpes. Then in August I went four days with the team at the Stelvio and then at Zermatt.
In which discipline did you focus more?
I started training in giant because the early days it was right to keep a controlled speed. In Argentina instead I focused more on speed because we found good conditions for superG and downhill.
In which discipline are you in better shape?
The super-G is the discipline that belongs to me most, but I feel safe even in downhill. There is still some confidence, but I see that from day to day I improve. In Argentina you always train in conditions a bit 'strange because there is little light and snow can change from one day to another, so the trip to South America was a big step forward for me and I served a lot. I believe that the sensations I had in Ushuaia will take them to me for the whole season.
Compared to the teammates, are you still behind with the times or have you recovered from this point of view?
I did not train too much thinking about the stopwatch. I'm not worried, in the evening when I watched the videos I saw that I was there with the others. I am convinced that when complete trust returns and when one is fit and quietly mentally the times come by themselves. It's clear that it's gratifying to know that I'm there with the others even after skipping a season, so I'm happy with how it went.
Before the breakup of the crusader, you had already suffered another injury: the fracture of the astragalus of the left leg. How hard was it to stop and start again?
It was very hard. On a mental level it was a good test. Recovery was difficult because I had already broken a foot and I was not 100% yet. So the knee rehabilitation went hand in hand with foot rehabilitation. But not all ills come to harm. Now I respect my body, I'm learning to know my limits. Everything is needed.
Does the knee still bother you?
I had problems during the first days of skiing. It bothers me when I start doing new things, maybe jumps where you land on the plane or when the snow is a bit harder. They are normal hassles.
And the foot?
The pain in the foot lasted a lot, almost a year. Now it's much better. Even with the foot I had some problems during the landing from the jumps, but it was the first jumps I was doing. I keep it very under control. Of course I have to be careful to do certain things.
Will you restart the World Cup season from Sölden or the speed races?
I have not decided yet. I would like to be ready for Sölden, but I do not know yet if I am competitive in giant. I will decide at the last moment.
Together with you your friend and teammate Francesca Marsaglia has been out of the World Cup last season. Have you had some recovery days together?
Last summer we had a few days together when I recovered from the foot and she from the first surgery. I did some rehabilitation in Milan and a little in Spain, while she was in Turin. We had very parallel careers, the accident happened in the same year so it was curious as what also because Francesca is my roommate. We supported each other. Among injured people we always try to help each other.
Is it stimulating to have strong friends like Federica Brignone and Sofia Goggia to start the season after an injury?
I am very happy to have companions like them. Federica and Sofia are part of another team and have had a summer program different from mine. Before the injury, in training I was close to them with the times. We are a strong team, who showed it the most and who proved it less. We are a team that pulls each other.
What do you think of the Milan-Cortina candidacy for the 2016 Olympics?
It would be beautiful. I would like to continue skiing until 2026, but I do not think I can do it.
Goals for this season?
The main objective is the World Cup in Ã…re, especially in super-G. But to get to this important event we must first see how the season will go. I will take one step at a time without shaking myself and without rushing, respecting my body, so as to get competitive at every stage I will attend.
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