Fischnaller makes an appointment in Cortina. “The Tondi slope is the most beautiful in the world”

The blue champion is excited for the awaited race on Saturday. “I always find many friends, in spring I also took my children to see the route”

Pista Tondi with a view of the Olympics. Not only those of Beijing, but also Milan-Cortina 2026 which for Roland Fischnaller would represent a record: the only Italian athlete to be able to count in his already very rich palmares the participation in two Olympics “at home”.

Turin 2006, Cortina 2026: in the middle a career full of successes. But at the age of 41, for Rolly the South Tyrolean from Val di Funes it is not yet time to raise the white flag. Present and charged as a spring, at the starting line of the winter season 2021/2022 which after the prologue in the Russian frost of Bannoye will see the international snowboard carousel, slalom and parallel giant specialties, make a double stop in Italy: Carezza on December 16 and Cortina two days later.

With what assumptions does the umpteenth season of Roland Fischnaller start?

«With some physical ailments that do not allow me to be in excellent shape as in the past. I had a knee problem, fortunately solved without having to resort to surgery but the consequences are still felt. The big goal right now is to find the best athletic condition soon. The trip to Russia helped me break the ice, a sort of prologue in view of the double Italian stage in which I want to do well. Especially in Cortina, where I have always won in recent years ».

The appointment for snowboard enthusiasts is for Saturday on the Tondi slope in Faloria.

«The most beautiful slope of the entire international snowboard carousel. Not only I say this, but all the athletes who every time they arrive in Cortina compliment me not only for the typically Italian organization of events but also because the show is unique. Every time I arrive in Cortina I too feel pervaded by the same enthusiasm as a kid who puts his feet in the snow for the first time. I find many friends and this is another very important aspect. Last spring I took my children to Cortina. We went up to Faloria and at a certain point, pointing to the Tondi slope, I said “here dad always wins”. I liked the idea of ​​sharing with them a place that is synonymous with happiness for me. I hope it still is, I’m working hard on it. This year the public will return. The atmosphere will be very different from last year when, in times of lockdown, we competed immersed in silence. I want the music and the people on the track again ».

Cortina this year represents an important step towards what will be the great Olympic event in Beijing.

“Everything revolves around the Olympics this year. For an athlete, when the Olympics are involved, it is always like this. You work step by step with the aim of arriving at the Olympic appointment in the best condition, then it goes as it goes because participating is one thing, winning a medal is another. I have already said about my physical ailments, the goal is to recover the best condition soon. Already in Cortina, knee permitting, I expect to be fine. I know the track, there are no excessive slopes, if the knee doesn’t play jokes, I can once again win ».

Cortina will then do an encore this year with the snowboard cross stage in January.

«It is the right reward for those who work here in an exceptional way. A name? Denis Constantini. It deserves this satisfaction ».

Given the Beijing Olympics, does Roland Fischnaller think about those of 2026 too?

«I am forty-one years old, I am no longer very young but the spirit is always that of the little boy, who left from a valley similar to that of Cortina to travel the world with a snowboard under his feet. I think about it in Milan-Cortina, also because it would be a record for me. The only Italian to be able to count participation in two Olympics in Italy. in 2006 I was at the starting line of Turin 2006, to be so also in Milan-Cortina twenty years later would be something extraordinary, the closing of the circle. At that point I could even say enough (laughs) ».

Let’s talk about the Olympics: looking back on Turin 2006, is there something to do or not to redo?

«At an organizational level, the Italian car is recognized as the best. What absolutely must not be redone, thinking back to Turin 2006, is to take the races lightly otherwise you will face bad figures. In Turin things did not go very well because perhaps we had underestimated the event a little. It was a little lesson for everyone. Today things are different but when you participate in an Olympics at home you have to triple your strength. Bad figures are not allowed ».

What moment does Italian snowboarding live?

«It is a living movement, in constant growth. There are so many good athletes. Michela Moioli deservedly earned her covers, she is young and today represents the beautiful and smiling image of this sport. There is no lack of satisfaction among men too. Who after me? There are many young people who are emerging. They have all the credentials to achieve excellent goals. Names? I make one, Daniele Bagozza. My future? I like the idea of ​​being a guide for the younger ones. I am a hen even if the spirit is always that of the best days. I am living a renewed youth that pushes me to always look forward with confidence ».