Speed ​​Skating - Interview
Francesco A. Armillotta
Between ice and Wheel never stops. Francesca Lollobrigida, born 1991, Roman, has certainly contributed to the visibility and satisfaction with the speed skating Italian. Notoriety finally not due "only" to his illustrious relatives (father Maurice was a champion inline skating and great aunt, and Diva Film, Gina does not need many introductions). But Francesca has accomplished something long awaited for a discipline in difficulty after the withdrawal of Enrico Fabris: reported the tricolor on the podium more high in long track, after more than four years. Slightly more a month ago he won the Cup of specialty in "his" Mass Start, winning the last race in the finals in Heerenveen. Exclusively for Neveitalia, Francesca told her past season. With an eye to the past and especially for the future, which promises to show.
Saturday 19 April 2014 15 minutes reading time
With the'' hurray Heerenveen is I got a cup that Italy lacked since 2007, when Chiara Simionato was queen of 1000m. Gina Lollobrigida has hit a win desirable, but difficult to obtain, which has strengthened its status as popularity in Holland since November 2012, when he won (the first Italian) his first marathon on ice in "oranje earth," where he wants to continue to train in ideal conditions.
But the season Francesca had known disappointment and excitement of a debut Olympic unlucky and joy for the new Italian record of 3000 and 5000 meters. That's it? Not at all. The 23 year old comes from rollerblading on the road, where it is was pluricampionessa the world. Talented and inexhaustible, the day after the victory on ice in Heerenveen, is distributed to Italy. And needless to say, a few hours after he won the National League inline.
Francesca, 2013-14 is was a season to remember. Impossible not beginning leads into the dream of every athlete: the Olympics.
"Definitely my first Olympics is was a great experience. Although my race (3000m where she finished 23rd ed) I was expecting more. In Sochi I saw that the enemy, even though they were the same athletes against which began to run from November at the World Cup, they were in great shape. As Italians we had to win and retain strict qualification during the Cup, while the most strong Dutch and American made sure the pass and then, in their place, they ran other athletes are always competitive. You experience was, in any event, excited, maybe too much. But from where I got that determination and the maturity needed to tackle the next four years to Pyeongchang 2018.'s sure. People see the Olympic Games as a crown, a finality. But I can tell you that this experience is was just a beginning for me. "
An amazing journey that brought her to the Games. When you consider that the years have not been so approach regular ....
"Yes, I started with the long track World Cup in 2008. At the time I was following Maurizio Marchetto (now coach of Russia, ed.) At that time I was still at school and was certainly not on an activity exercise schedule. For example, in the National attending rallies that lasted a couple of weeks and then came home to Rome. And in the summer I dedicated to roller skating. Unfortunately, two years ago I was stopped through the winter because I underwent three operations to recover from a shoulder injury. When I came back, I decided to start over from Holland. From there I started my career in marathons on ice. A great base for training. And only the beginning of last season I went back to all intents and purposes in the National. "
In any case it is arrived to date while maintaining a balance between ice and double track wheels. Will take continue with both disciplines?
"Of course. Why the "wheels" complete the preparation throughout the year until winter. You now clear that work on both fronts will not say more people, but especially those who won on the ice. You just look at the Dutch champions, or Belgian Bart Swings. So I think even the Federation of Ice should open our eyes to this fact, and follow up with more attention skating on wheels. I personally can not stand eight months (from March to November, when the winter season begins, ed) without competition. So compensation with the real racing inline, in the spring and summer. All this, however, focused on preparation for my winter sport. If there were no cases with skaters winning in both sports, I would devote myself exclusively to ice. "
Returning to his successful season. The entry in the Air Force has contributed to its tranquility?
"Certainly. I have to thank the Air Force for the important support that he gave me. It gave me more tranquility, without a shadow of doubt in Group I are not entered by sport, but as a civilian, doing three days of testing at Taranto. I did the competition and I spent like everyone else. Based on my results, I was then made to enter into the Sporting Group in July 2013. I promised them a qualification at the Winter Olympics. And I kept the commitment. "
A support which of course, to the economy, helped her. Things have improved since the early days when he went to compete in Holland?
"Yes, there was a period in which there I competed completely out of my pocket. Luckily I have to thank the notoriety I have won and that made me have the sponsors of the place. Surely I served very much and thanks to them are independent when I go to race there. "
You easy to become a "star" in the home of skating?
"I can say that the welcome I received there I have not found anywhere else. After my first victory in the marathon, I have provided a base and especially the space to train on the track. Next year I will continue to train there: obviously agreeing with everything the Federation and the Italian Air Force. We are a team and I feel part of a team. You work with the same goal and I will continue to be part of it, while being abroad. I really admire the Dutch and how they manage to train and prepare. Each has its own team, with a coach and a physiotherapist. They have a lot of open field. "
But in Italy is not easy to find the ideal conditions for training?
"For me, on the environment, it is complicated. Baselga di Pine (The only track long training in Italy, only usable in the winter because outdoor ed) is not less than ideal. Primarily because of my thyroid problems. These affect me especially at altitude and suffer much more fatigue. I suffer cold and bad weather, and are often forced to train under my abilities. Before the winter was prepared because at home, with my coach, we prepared everything according to the Olympics. I arrived in November by the Italian record in 3000 and then in 5000, with the preparation still had no idea of ​​the wheels. Then, after the first few months of Cup I started working with the team, but I lacked the usual workouts and I felt a bit ' decline. This year later, having been for a long period in Baselga, pativo also the other companions always returned home. I was the only "town" of the group and could not do it. Perhaps it is my weak point. But if I need to train to win, I would choose the ideal conditions for doing so. Let me clarify: I do not discuss the preparation on the ice, but I think that those coming from the wheels must be free to pursue a different program. You could refine all finding a partnership with the two Federations. And I do not mean just for me, but also for the skaters in the future. "
To reinforce this idea, since its results. The Cup victory it is an example?
"Yes, and I hope to serve all the Italian movement to improve and expand the views. These are the results that talk. If he cared not, I might even change the nation. At the Olympics is successful in many cases and I was a bit ' appalled. And I want to be part of Italy as a team and compete in blue. "
In the conquest of the Cup of specialty what helped her experience on wheels?
"The type of the points race is similar. There are the intermediate sprints and the race particular. In my Cup Mass Start, Inzell (where it came fifth ed) I was wrong, concentrating too much on the fly. And not having yet a companion with whom spalleggiarmi, returning below, I was back for the game of the Dutch team. Finals in Heerenveen, however, I tried to remain calm in view of the final sprint. On the last lap I was back, but thanks to the skill acquired by the wheels, I was able to go out before the last corner. I have not done "scrub" a second time. "
In short, the Mass Start is an important goal for the future. And if you were to get into the Olympic program ...
"For now, it will be certainly speed skating World Cup 2015. For the rest, we'll see. There are still things to be improved, such as revolutions and change suits, maybe closer to those of the short track. I personally will not give up absolutely classic 3000 and 5000. I am a who like to compete and I do not pull back at all. I take such champions as Wüst, Graf and Sablikova have many more years of racing. For them it is a habit to turn fast and consistent. I lack of patience, but I can find only the most competing possible. And then there the technique, I have to continuously improve. And to do that the hours are very important'' s training on the ice. "
Meanwhile, there is to grow with a possible dream. Soon it may compete with her younger sister Julia. Who knows, in a Mass Start help the Olympic team play blue?
"It would be nice to go to the 2018 Winter Games with her. With Julia we are training together after we separated last winter. Having her in the Mass Start may be very important, it will count so much teamwork. Together we can do great things. Next year will between the Senior and hope to have more opportunities to run together. "
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