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Goggia: “Personal growth, importance and serenity; my challenge is with myself”

Sofia Goggia, 26-year-old downhill gold medallist at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea and winner of two world championship medals, is back on the slopes for the 2019/2020 season. She was set back by an injury last year

Home Life People Goggia: “Personal growth, importance and serenity; my challenge is with myself”

What do you expect from the 2019/2020 season?

I can sum it up in three words: personal growth, importance and serenity. This will be a season of growth in which my goal is to improve myself continuously as a person and as an athlete. I will not be competing in any world championship events and so every competition will be important. I will not need to hold back to preserve myself for another race. And serenity because I feel really very serene. I am starting aware of what I have achieved. I hope that this moment of serenity will last throughout the season.

You injured yourself last year.

I don't dwell on it. I am fired up because my bones healed very well by themselves.

Goggia: “Personal growth, importance and serenity; my challenge is with myself” 01
Goggia: “Personal growth, importance and serenity; my challenge is with myself” 01

What's your goal?

My goal is speed. I want to explore my potential to the fullest. Of course, I would like to assert myself in super-G and confirm myself in downhill skiing, perhaps winning a trophy or two in the finals in Cortina.

And what about the giant slalom?

I do not expect much from the giant slalom, I am starting too far behind. I have no expectations except to give it my best and play it out. Downhill and super-G, on the other hand, are my specialities. I feel that long skis are like a continuation of my own body. Sweeping curves mean joy and freedom for me. It is a feeling that cannot be put into words. Speed is the maximum expression of my character.

Goggia: “Personal growth, importance and serenity; my challenge is with myself” 02
Goggia: “Personal growth, importance and serenity; my challenge is with myself” 02

How do you find your balance?

By devoting extreme attention to detail, knowing what I want and never forgetting where I come from. I have learned to give my all, touching the limits. That is my balance.

How did you train for the season?

In the gym and skiing, but with a different approach. My new trainer focused on resistance training with weights but also on agility. We worked on improving my motor patterns to move better during races. I also had a few training sessions with the men's team.

Who is the rival to beat? 

Myself. I always compete against myself and if that is good enough to beat everyone else, that is fine with me. Every morning I look at myself in the mirror. My challenge starts then.