04.02.2010 - 16:33 h

Peter’s exclusive interview!

The Italian national talks about his season with his gaze fixed on the upcoming Olympics

Hello Peter. We are here today to look back at your season considering the upcoming Olympic Games in Vancouver. This season was full of expectations for you, because you finished the 2008/09 season as the winner of your first World Cup race and the silver medalist in superG at the World Championship in Val'Isère, but unfortunately it did not start very well because of the serious accident during the summer training in Argentina. How did you feel in those days?
It was very difficult. I was very disappointed with what had happened to me. After an excellent season when I had achieved important goals, I started working hard early into the summer, I was really enthusiastic and concentrated on repeating the performance of the last season. Instead, this serious accident happened in the end of summer, when I had just started training on the slope. It was a hard blow, in those early days I thought my season was already over.

Gradually you began to recover and finally put the skis back on. But when did you start to realize that you could return already in this season?
During the first two and a half months I put all my energy into recovery, but I didn’t expect to return this season. I was improving, but very slowly. For these reasons, I started to do other things as well, such as doing technical commentary for some of the men's World Cup races or navigating at the Monza Rally Show.
After finishing the recovery course in Milan and continuing it in Selva in Val Gardena (BZ) at the sports center of the Carabinieri, I realized that the situation was improving when I started training with the skis again. I was making great strides forward, but still, I lacked so much strength and I was not sure about returning.

In December, you returned to competitions as a forerunner, first in the downhill at Bormio World Cup race and later in the high-speed disciplines of the European Cup in Wengen. How did you feel? What emotions did you live through in those moments after the sacrifices you have made and the uncertainty with the physical recovery?
Bormio was a very important and delicate moment. I still had many doubts about my physical condition and I was afraid that the speed and the jumps might do some damage. But when I arrived at the finish line, I was so happy! I thought: "I did something great! Now I can really think about returning to racing."
Time was not so important in Bormio, but it was at the European Cup in Wengen, where the clock told me exactly what I wanted to hear: you're back and have a good speed in the legs!

Immediately after that, there was the downhill race at the World Cup in Wengen. Difficult and demanding slope where you've got 5th and a 3rd times at the training runs which was a surprise for everyone. Did you expect to be so fast or were you surprised as well?
Wengen has been a real test. A long descent, challenging both physically and mentally. I gave my best both at the training run and in the race. Good performance in the training made me confident that I could be competitive later in the race. I thought that the podium was no longer a gamble, even if it was not an easy undertaking.

And you confirmed the high level in the race with an 8th place at the finish, starting 25th with not an optimal visibility. Do you think that considering the upcoming Olympics, this is a promising result for you and your well-wishers?
It was an excellent result. I raced when the visibility was not the best and the late starting number was certainly a disadvantage. I am very happy with my performance and it has given me additional energy and desire to do well in the Olympics.

The eighth place has guaranteed you the qualification for Vancouver, which will be your second Olympic Games after Turin 2006. In which disciplines will we see you compete, other than in downhill?
I will definitely compete in downhill (Saturday 13.02.2010). Then judging by my physical conditions and how I will be recovering after the downhill race, I will decide whether to race in the combined (Tuesday 16.02.2010) and superG (Friday 19.02.2010). I hope to participate in all 3 races, but I do not want to push too much and risk right now, when the things are starting to go well.

How are you spending these last days before your races at the Olympics? What is the training program right before the Games?
In these days preceding the races I will try to get the feel of the snow and get to the decisive day relaxed and calm. Of course I will not start strength and endurance trainings now, it would be an error to try in these few days to compensate for all the preparation I have missed.

Last February, you won the silver medal at the World Championships in Val d'Isere, what do you expect from these Olympics? How do you feel about it?
Unlike the World Championships, I am entering the Olympic Games without any pressure. Nobody is expecting extraordinary result from me. I will try to give my all to do the best I can and I will enjoy the Olympics, which I could only dream about a few months ago.

Who do you think are the favorites in the disciplines you are competing in?
In the downhill I believe that the podium contenders are Walchhofer, Cuche and Osborne-Paradis, in superG, however, Svindal, Raich and Cuche.

In Val d'Isère you won the only medal for the Italian men’s team, do you think that things will go better in Vancouver?
The World Championships and Olympic Games are special events, it is not enough to just be fit to earn the podium, one also needs some luck. Our team is strong and can boast some excellent athletes, with a little luck and belief in our own strength, we can achieve great results.

Thanks for your time, Peter - and good luck for the Olympics!


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