Alex Vinatzer: A season of complete contrasts

And Alex Vinatzer wouldn't be Alex Vinatzer if he didn't question this with a highly self-critical eye. The Val Gardena native is not only one of the most approachable athletes in the ski circuit – he's also never afraid to address things bluntly. The 26-year-old spoke to us about...

...a season with many highs, but also some lows: “I got off to a great start in the giant slalom. My form was still there in Adelboden (seventh after the first run), in Schladming (fifth after the first run), and at the Olympics (eleventh). But I never managed to finish. The reason was that I took more risks because I was always aiming for the podium. In the slalom, I started the season technically well, but I often made the wrong tactical decisions.”

...the crucial point, the Olympics: "That was tough. Everything has already been said about the failure in the team combined. Then came another blow with the sudden departure of our head coach, Mauro Pini. The fact that I finished all four technical races after the Olympics, but fell far short of my personal expectations, unfortunately sticks in the mind."

A bitter defeat: Vinatzer and Franzoni had a chance at a medal at the Olympics. © APA/afp / DIMITAR DILKOFF

...the downward spiral that could not be stopped: “I was mentally exhausted. January is always extremely busy with racing and travel. In retrospect, I also put too much pressure on myself because of the Olympics at home. Then there were the spring conditions with soft snow – many pieces of the puzzle just didn't fit together anymore. Plus, I missed Mauro Pini as an important mentor who could have helped me get out of this slump.”

...the short tenure of technical head coach Mauro Pini: "In my opinion, he did a superb job. But friction arose within the team, and it was a side issue that cost a lot of energy. This came to a head in the run-up to the Olympics, and this unrest was reflected in the results. Apart from me, no other athlete from the national technical team really performed well, which led to a lot of discussions." "It would be nice to experience a winter where I can think only about skiing." Alex Vinatzer ...the many coaching changes at the "Azzurri": “Jacques Theolier wanted to slow down three years ago, mainly due to his age. Simone Del Dio (who has been training with the Norwegian men's ski team for a year) left in January 2025, and barely a year later, Mauro Pini is also history. So, it would be great to experience a winter where I can just think about skiing and not be constantly confronted with all sorts of distractions. But it seems impossible to launch a medium- or even long-term program in Italy.”

...the huge challenge of building a powerful technical team at the "Azzurri": "Of course, like in any team, we have different personalities, each with their own individual strengths. In the World Cup, many things have to come together. It's important to get the ball rolling so that things run smoothly. I often get the impression that the necessary calm and composure are lacking. Instead of remaining silent, practicing the necessary self-criticism, and working even harder, people tend to make a fuss too quickly."

...the approach regarding next season: “I’ll still be competing in the International Customs Championships in Switzerland, then the Italian Championships in Sestriere on April 2nd and 3rd. After that, there are equipment tests scheduled at Reiter Alm, and then it’s time for a vacation. My flight leaves on April 22nd. The official start date for preseason training is May 15th with the first conditioning course. I’m encouraged by the fact that things weren’t going well towards the end of last season, but I was back in top form from the very first World Cup race. I hope I can do the same this year, perhaps even with an eye on the Super-G. With which coach? We’ll see. Traditionally, things always take a bit longer for the Italians to get everything sorted out. I expect this year will be no different.”

tennis

hockey

Winter sports

football

Italian

International leagues

International

Learn More

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Favorites

Alex Vinatzer: A season of complete contrasts

Comments (0)