What is behind the return of Akira Sasaki: the dream Milan Cortina 2026 and ... "a second debut that is too funny"

Alpine Skiing: All news

Milano Cortina 2026: All news

Last Friday, 8 and a half years after the last race (his 143rd in CdM) in Kranjska Gora, the immediately winning slalomist in the Cerro Catedral FIS met again. The Japanese class of '81 has every intention of opening the chapter of a "second career" with a view to the fifth Olympics ...

Sunday 14 August 2022 3 minutes reading time

An unexpected return, in some sensational ways, but truly romantic and full of meanings. It is that of Akira Sasaki, the whimsical Japanese slalomist who has given so many emotions over a beautiful high-level career, as a pure specialist capable of catching three podiums in the World Cup, in particular that first so special in Wengen, starting with bib 65 and finishing second in a comeback, just 4 cents behind Giorgio Rocca. On September 26th, Akira will toast his 41 years: almost 8 and a half have passed, between physical problems and life choices, since the last race (ever, not only in CdM) held in March 2014 in Kranjska Gora, when he greeted the white circus at his 143rd bib number in the cup. His "comeback" on the Argentine snows of Cerro Catedral, on the occasion of the FIS slalom a couple of days ago valid for the national championships and won by the Japanese again in comeback, was told in a very particular way by Sasaki himself, very active on instagram (his profile is AkiraExploring) and that he wanted us to thank Salomon, the brand with which he started a new adventure. To get up to participation in the fifth Olympics (after Salt Lake City, Turin, Vancouver and Sochi)? Apparently the intention is all there ... "It's my second debut, I'm happy I made it - explained Sasaki - It was too much fun, rising from adversity is beautiful, going back to 40 years ... Life is so beautiful". A manifesto of life.

128

Social media engagement