Dominik Fischnaller: Honeymoon will have to wait

Spring – the time after the season – is usually a time of peace for winter sports athletes, a time when stress subsides and batteries are recharged. But not for Dominik Fischnaller. South Tyrol's best luge athlete experienced a turbulent but very enjoyable time last spring.

After a season with two podium finishes, the 32-year-old model athlete was the first luger ever to test the new Olympic track in Cortina d'Ampezzo. "That was a great feeling and a little dream come true. Since I became a luger, we've always had to travel abroad for training and races; now we have our own ice track here. That gives us a real boost as a team."

Civil marriage Shortly after these test runs, another highlight followed, this time of a personal nature. Fischnaller married his longtime girlfriend, Emily Sweeney, at the registry office in Meransen. The American—who is also a luge athlete—and her Dominik met and later fell in love at a youth race in Winterberg when they were both 16 years old, and now they are married. "It was a beautiful ceremony with our closest family, exactly to my liking," said Fischnaller. Only the honeymoon will have to wait. "We spent our vacation in the USA at Emily's home; otherwise, we had a lot of training. Once things calm down after the Olympics, we'll take the honeymoon." Hawaii would be perfect.

Dominik and Emily love the local mountains.

Dominik and Emily (she has taken the surname Fischnaller) want to build a life for themselves in South Tyrol after their sporting careers, which is why their new home in Meransen was completed in recent months. "My favorite place is the open-plan living area with the kitchen and living room," says the former overall World Cup winner. And where has he displayed his bronze medal from the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing? "Unfortunately, nowhere yet," laughs the 32-year-old. "It's still at my grandmother's house, where we stored our things during the move."

Olympics on our doorstep That this precious metal will hold a special place is beyond question. "With this medal, I've fulfilled a lifelong dream," explains Fischnaller, who adds: "At the same time, it's also taken some pressure off me for the Olympic Games in February. But of course: Winning an Olympic medal on home soil would be the ultimate achievement."

The Meransen native isn't feeling nervous yet, but he is certainly excited. "I'd love it if it started tomorrow," says South Tyrol's best luger. It's clear: even at 32, Fischnaller's passion for the sport still burns brightly. "I want to stay a luger for a long time because I simply love it so much!" He adds resolutely, "That's why these Olympic Games in February won't be my last."

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Dominik Fischnaller: Honeymoon will have to wait

South Tyrol's star luger Dominik Fischnaller has had an exciting time and has a big dream ahead of him: the Olympic Games in his own country.

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