TV shows, Val Gardena World Cup and Shiffrin's nerves: Isolde Kostner in an interview

In the following interview with SportNews Kostner talks about Val Gardena's candidacy for the 2029 World Ski Championships, the development of the two Delago sisters and the positive and negative highlights of the last World Cup winter. She also reports on her experiences on the reality show “Isola dei famosi”.

How do you feel about Val Gardena's candidacy for the 2029 World Ski Championships? Isolde Kostner: “As a former athlete, my heart naturally beats for sport. This would be a unique event for all alpine skiers in South Tyrol and all of Italy; not everyone gets such an opportunity in their career. Since I work in the hotel industry, I also have to say that a World Cup would benefit the entire economy in the valley. We would have the opportunity to enhance our tourism again.”

When her career ended, a long lull began for the South Tyrolean speed women - until Nicol and Nadia Delago came into the spotlight. Where can these two go?

“They both have a gifted talent. They are excellent gliders and also extremely technically strong. If you maintain your inner calm and patience, you can far exceed your previous results. They have the potential to become real winning runners.”

“They have the potential to become real winning runners.” Isolde Kostner about the Delago sisters

Aside from the Delago sisters, what particularly impressed you in the last World Cup winter?

“The big highlight was of course that Olympic bronze medal by Nadia Delago. I have known her since she was little and wish her this success with all my heart. In addition, the successful run of the Italian women’s national team should of course be highlighted.”

And what do you remember negatively?

“I don't know if I can call it a negative, but I found Mikaela Shiffrin's Olympic doldrums extraordinary. You can see what tricks your mind can play. Even an absolute superstar is not immune to such moments. But she showed incredible greatness by not giving up and then winning the overall World Cup.”

How present is professional ski racing still in Isolde Kostner's life?

“Because of my pregnancy, I ended my career shortly before the 2006 Olympics, then immediately started a family and immersed myself in the working world. A new life somehow began for me, which I have enjoyed to the fullest ever since. But I'm always happy in the fall when the new World Cup season is just around the corner. I follow the events closely until Christmas, after that only when time permits.”

Isolde Kostner competed in a total of 249 World Cup races, winning 15 of them. © APA

During the Corona pandemic, you used your free time to explore completely new paths to switch to television. Why?

“I had already taken part in the TV show 'Notti su ghiaccio' years ago. I liked it so much back then that I really wanted to try something like that again. I was asked several times if I would like to go to the 'Isola dei famousi', and when our hotel was closed last year due to corona, I said to myself: Now you do it!”

The show is considered a staged fight for survival. How hard was it really on the island?

“The show is comparable to the 'Jungle Camp' in Germany. You're on your own in wild nature, that's really how it is. This circumstance inspired me, although I have to admit that the decision to go there was not easy for me - especially because of the children. It was very difficult at times because there were constant arguments among the participants and they actually ate very little for weeks.”

Would you do it again?

“Yes, without a doubt! I have always been very curious and am generally someone who looks for new experiences. And that was indeed it, I remember it as a real adventure.”

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TV shows, Val Gardena World Cup and Shiffrin's nerves: Isolde Kostner in an interview

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