Now there are twenty. The World Cups of speed skiing that Alberto Monticone as coach of the national team won in his career. The mayor (of Sordevolo) -ct led to success in this season that has just ended, both Simone Origone, for him there are thirteen successes, and Valentina Greggio, at the fifth crystal ball. To the account must be added the two conquered by the other Origone, his brother Ivan. An extraordinarily long series. “This year’s victories are special”, says Monticone, remembering first of all the first Cup won with him at the helm of the team, on March 31, 2004, the same day in which Greggio and Origone himself achieved their latest successes for Italjet. . «Details first of all because of the winter that we never had except last weekend at Grand Valira in Andorra. Then for the modalities for how they have matured ». For the Verbanese Greggio the year was a triumph with only first places for a record haul of 700 points. “Valentina also won at night in Salla in Finland – says Monticone – and although there were particular conditions in the first of the two descents due to a snowfall, she was faster than all the men, a unique thing that is never in memory no girl succeeded ». Greggio flew away at 163.28 kilometers per hour, almost four seconds faster than the Swedish Britta Backlund, while the winner Simone Origone stopped the photocell at 161.20. increased by the fact that she returned to skiing at her levels, after a few seasons where she was she had not been able to express herself at her best. For her and for her whole movement, it is another positive element to underline ».
Origone, on the other hand, only rejoiced at the photo finish. Monticone recounts: «In race one Ivan Origone wins, who had not been able to do so for five years, while the French Simon Billy leads the general with Simone third at 28 points». In the second round Origone surpasses everyone on the track and in the standings. Billy finishes third and with the points recovered the Aosta Valley player jumps to the lead by only three points. «The last race is canceled by bad weather, it happens in our sport that is practiced outdoors and in the mountains, and Origone is champion, like sixteen years ago. The reverse has already happened in the past with the Cup for us Italians faded in the same way ». After the four-year Olympic period, in October, there will be a vote to renew the federal offices but the Biella technician hopes, as well as all his colleagues, that the plans for the future season can be made already now. «With the International Federation wanting to relaunch speed skiing in a big way, we can’t waste time. The ideas are there but we have to see if I will still be the coach ».