Alpine SkiingINTERVIEW
pg fb Alex Vinatzer
The blue is training these days in Pozza di Fassa to present himself in the best conditions at the starting gate of the Gran Risa and 3Tre.
Monday 14 December 2020 5 minutes reading time
Alex Vinatzer, a young talent of the blue slalom team, told Neveitalia his feelings for the next two slalom that will be held on the home slopes in Alta Badia and Madonna di Campiglio.
How do you feel now after the appendicitis operation?
I have been almost three weeks without skiing. The first two / three days of skiing I struggled a bit, I lost 4kg in the hospital so I got tired easily after 35 seconds of slalom. The last two days of training I took a step forward. I'm still not at 100% as I would like, but I'm trying to improve for the next races. We are training in Pozza di Fassa where on Thursday I will also play the first competition of the European Cup and then we will see if we also play the second on Friday. Running heats on a tough track like the Aloch is certainly a good preparation in view of the two slaloms that will be held in Alta Badia and Madonna di Campiglio.
This season, after many years, the special slalom is back in Alta Badia. This is a new track for you. Do you like Gran Risa?
It looks like a good track, last year I led the way in the giant. I don't know how it can be in slalom. Almost none of the athletes who ski in the World Cup today have played a slalom race on the Gran Risa, so there may be surprises especially for young people who have less experience. It can be an advantage for those who have already done many years in the World Cup.
Alta Badia will be the first slalom of the season. Who do you see among the favorites?
The first three of the slaom ranking are Kristoffersen, Noel and Yule. I hope to be among the favorites too if I can be 100% fit. Let's see how I will recover. There are many athletes who can win the race.
Immediately after the slalom in Alta Badia, there will also be the slalom in Madonna di Campiglio. What technical differences are there between the Gran Risa and the 3Tre?
There is a big difference because in Alta Badia, with the difference in height and the length of the track, they have to track quite wide. In Madonna di Campiglio, on the other hand, they always have to trace tight. Here there will be that meter and a half of difference to which you will have to adapt immediately and do well from the first heat. Two beautiful intense days await us. It will also be necessary to see how the snowpack will be, to calculate all the variables. Starting the season indoors is really nice.
Which of the two tracks is best suited to your characteristics?
I don't know, I've never done the Alta Badia slalom, so it's hard to say. There are few slopes where I go badly, so I hope to do well in both Alta Badia and Madonna di Campiglio.
Last year you got your first career podium in Zagreb slalom. What are your goals for next season?
After the podium the goal is to win - I would like to be among the top 7 and it would also be a dream to win a medal at the Cortina World Championships.
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