Featured photographs supplied by Federica Brignone
Italian Federica Brignone, who turned 34 on July 14th, is among the many most profitable and longest-serving lively feminine skiers. Regardless of it being summer season, many nationwide groups are profiting from the nice snow circumstances on European glaciers. Ski Racing Media requested Brignone if she can be snowboarding this summer season.
“For me, summer season is for doing summer season issues, not winter issues. I skied till mid-April. We had an excellent velocity camp with the lads’s group in Santa Caterina. I additionally participated in Alpine Park, an exhibition slalom format hosted by Clément Noël; it was enjoyable.
My teammates went to Les Deux Alpes in late Might, however it was too early for me; I most popular to coach bodily. I by no means skied on glaciers as a child, both. The way you make the most of your coaching days issues greater than what number of you do. On the finish of the winter, the extra-skiing appearances add up rapidly; I favor to decide to these after which droop snowboarding and prepare bodily at house within the Aosta Valley.
I shall be again on skis towards the tip of August. First, we plan to do a couple of days of free snowboarding on a European glacier near house. The aim of these glacier days is to get the most effective begin for the coaching block we’ll do in South America proper after that.”
Ardour for the Sea
Certainly one of Federica’s passions is the ocean, and her curiosity in nature has led her to become involved in environmental initiatives.
“I like the ocean. I used to be within the Philippines this yr, browsing virtually day by day. I actually take pleasure in it, like different water sports activities. I used to be additionally in Sardinia, the place I did some kite browsing. Like yearly, I’ve been concerned in an environmental undertaking. We cleaned up a pine forest, an exercise coordinated with one among my sponsors.”
Nevertheless, her time on the sea ended rapidly: “Now I’m at house, in Valle D’Aosta, doing downhill mountain biking and hanging out with associates, in addition to, in fact, devoting myself to bodily coaching.”
“I Will Go On As Lengthy As I Really feel Like It”
Born in 1990, Brignone was the primary feminine skier to win a GS World Cup at age 33. Nevertheless, she had beforehand thought-about ending her profession.
“In the summertime of 2022, I had satisfied myself that the subsequent season could be my final. I solely advised my brother (coach) and my serviceman, Mauro ‘Sbarde’ Sbardellotto. With COVID, I couldn’t take it anymore; by the tip of the season, I used to be exhausted. That summer season, I additionally had some issues. I had began the season poorly.
However issues received higher; I had a variety of enjoyable, nonetheless had that motivation, and was aggressive. So, I modified my thoughts on the 2023 World Cup Finals in Andorra, realizing retiring could be silly.
I made a decision not to consider a date for the tip of my profession. I’m persevering with with out eager about it, however with the liberty to stop the day I not really feel like competing. The time will come once I not really feel that fireplace inside, the urge to make the subsequent flip sooner than the final. It might occur anytime, summer season or fall; it doesn’t need to correspond to the tip of the racing season. It’s a mistake to say, one or two extra seasons.”
Her Greatest Season Ever
Retiring would have been a disgrace and a mistake, contemplating how issues went for her in 2023/2024.
“Final summer season, I skilled effectively however loved the second with out stress. Starting on the Argentina camp, I instantly skied nice; I used to be calm and match. I used to be assured, I had confidence in my snowboarding, and I at all times did what I needed. Nevertheless, in January, I made some errors due to head points, particularly stress, and the outcomes had been worse.
Mont Tremblant was loopy; I received two days in a row for the primary time regardless of the awful climate circumstances, feeling unimaginable feelings. Final winter, I typically managed to drag out a bit bit extra simply when the circumstances had been tough, with the climate and the snow, like in Kvitfjell or on the Finals. It was a really satisfying season. What I did and the way I confronted issues made me proud.”
Italy’s most adorned feminine skier claimed 1581 World Cup factors, an Italian file (as are her 27 WC victories). She completed on the rostrum 13 instances in 39 races, clinching six wins, 5 seconds, and two third-place finishes. She additionally completed second within the 2024 season Total, GS, and Tremendous-G standings.
“The information are a credit score to me, however I ski to expertise feelings. I’m interested by expressing myself 100%, which is why I’ve been higher in the previous couple of years than earlier than; we now have created a state of affairs the place I can take pleasure in it. Snowboarding this effectively is de facto tough, particularly with everybody’s expectations. While you succeed, the satisfaction is even higher. I at all times suppose it’s unimaginable however then I shock myself. It’s onerous to do it that day, at the moment, I believe our sport is de facto onerous.”
A Mixture of Issues
We requested her what allowed her to be so aggressive for thus lengthy and if she had any secrets and techniques to share.
“I believe it’s a mixture. I’ve a lot ardour; I’ve at all times skied for myself. I’ve beloved the game from the primary time I placed on skis. I’m a competitor; I like competitors, and placing myself on the market and doing one thing tough is satisfying.
You additionally need to be wholesome, with out accidents.
Numerous Athletic Background
As a baby, my mother and father allowed me to play many sports activities; I realized so much and developed motion abilities in all areas. I realized to fall and transfer on all terrains, even in powder snow.
I went by way of the pure phases of rising up. My life was regular as a baby and teenager, and I grew to become knowledgeable solely as an grownup. I began late doing boring issues. Possibly I wouldn’t be right here if I had completed them earlier, at 15. I positively wouldn’t have been able to face all of the tasks, the extra-ski actions, and so on.
I progressed steadily in all fields.
Bodily, I by no means pressured it. I by no means did particular bodily coaching till I entered the Nationwide Staff and by no means lifted weights till I used to be 20. I additionally participated in different sports activities, together with skating, creative gymnastics, and climbing. This stuff allowed me to know myself and tips on how to transfer in all conditions.
After I was younger, I solely skied powder and by no means within the gates, however I realized good snowboarding methods, focusing extra on the aesthetic aspect than the time or consequence aspect.
It took a few years, and now you may see the fruits, however it was a variety of work.”
This journey has undoubtedly labored for Brignone, who will begin the 2024/2025 season as one of many podium favorites after reaching her first World Cup podium in 2009/2010.
