Federica Sanfilippo: “My friend had mixed feelings”

In the spring, Federica Sanfilippo was dropped from the national team. At that time she lived through 31-year-old from Ridanna is having a difficult time , the end of my career was just one step away. Now, almost a year later, the ski hunter is back on the big biathlon stage. With the help of her sports group, the Fiamme Oro (police sports group), Sanfilippo has gotten herself back into shape and - after having to compete in the Italian Cup races at the beginning of the season - can now be found again in the World Cup, where she is particularly active in the Relay competitions delivered strongly, see Antholz .

The reward? The biathlete is allowed to go to her second Olympic Games. She still has to take a negative PCR test on Thursday, then she can fly with the team to China on Saturday. In the interview she answered our questions.

Federica Sanfilippo, there was an interesting constellation at the relay race in Antholz: In the last meters you fought for third place against the Frenchwoman Anaïs Bescond - of all people against the athlete whose service man is your partner Louis...

Federica Sanfilippo (laughs): “He had mixed feelings about it. I honestly didn't think about it during the race. You're at your limit and you're thinking about everything else. Only then did I realize that it was Anaïs I was running against.”

Who was your friend hoping for?

“It was a win-win situation for him. He cheered us both on at the side of the track. He knew that I was strong in the final laps and said that I would catch the Frenchwoman. In the end, only a few centimeters were missing.”

Federica Sanfilippo at the shooting range. ©Elvis

Nevertheless, this performance was a success and shows that you have long since regained your footing in the World Cup. Are you surprised yourself?

“I had no expectations this year, that was the good thing. I didn't know where my journey was going. It could have been the case that I got the chance in the World Cup, but didn't take it and then the door was finally closed. But I took advantage of the opportunities and just thought from race to race. I had nothing to lose this year.”

Where does this new strength come from?

“I changed everything before the season. From then on I trained with the sports group, where I got a new coach, a new team, a new program. In the summer I went to Norway with the French team for 10 days, that was also an experience. All of this together gave me new stimuli.”

“I was closer to quitting than to continuing.” Federico Sanfilippo

After being excluded from the national team in the spring: How close were you to the end of your career?

“Very, very close. I was more likely to quit than continue. But I said to myself: somehow it would be a shame to stop like this. My friend, who also comes from the ambience, helped me a lot and of course the sports group that stood behind me. I'm happy that the whole plan is working. But even if it hadn’t happened like that, I would be happy because it was an experience.”

Now the Olympic Games are coming up. How do you feel about flying to Beijing?

“There are mixed feelings because there are a few worries. Firstly, there is the Corona situation, the top priority is to stay negative. The second thing is the cold, which worries me a bit. In Beijing it should be minus 15 degrees and windy, similar to Pyeongchang, if not colder. But otherwise I'm really happy, also because it was a goal for me to be there. I've done that now. The season has gone very well so far, so the joy is even greater.”

How afraid are you to take a PCR test these days, which is necessary in order to travel to Beijing?

“Of course there are always certain worries. But it's just not possible to pay more attention. I went to Rome on Sunday because I had to do some Olympic visits. I was on the train there too. There would always be something where you could get infected. But I take care as much as possible, always wear a mask, and don't go out among people. If I still get infected, it just won't happen. Of course that would be very stupid.”

Last question: What are your plans for the Olympic Games?

"Nothing! I look to stay negative first. Then I hope I can cope with the cold and jet lag. I'll get the best out of myself in the races. We’ll see what happens next.”

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Federica Sanfilippo: “My friend had mixed feelings”

Suggestions

Comments (0)