Omar Visintin: The dog tamer attacks again

Flashback to November 28, 2021: At the Olympic dress rehearsal in Secret Garden (China), which is part of the World Cup, Omar Visintin is only beaten by his long-term rival Alessandro Hämmerle (Austria), and the Olympic course seems tailor-made for him. Two weeks later, at the World Cup in Montafon, the big shock came: Visintin was involved in a serious fall, suffered a dislocated elbow, a torn ligament in his arm and a concussion including whiplash. The Olympic dream seems to be over.

But not for Omar Visintin: The elbow is dislocated in the hospital in Schruns and the torn ligament is operated on in the La Madonnina Hospital in Milan. The break that Visintin has to take is 30 days. Only then is advanced training possible again, just like the first rides on the board. It is already clear that there will be enough for the Olympics. But Visintin wants more: He is celebrating a comeback at the World Cup in Cortina d'Ampezzo on January 29, 2022 - and falls again on his damaged elbow. “That was extremely important for me morally,” explains the 33-year-old, “I saw that the arm had healed perfectly and I could give full throttle.”

Omar Visintin has had an eventful few months.

Then, and yes, then comes the Olympics. On the same route where he came second in the World Cup 2 months and 10 days earlier. Which didn't put Visintin under pressure to succeed, on the contrary. Already feared and respected by his opponents because of his strong nerves and coolness, Visintin fulfilled his long-held dream of a medal. “It would have been possible in 2014 and 2018, but I was shot down by opponents in each case through no fault of my own. The fact that I was able to bring home two medals makes me extremely proud. Third place in the individual race was probably the maximum, the other two opponents (Alessandro Hämmerle/Austria and Eliot Grondin/Canada) were simply better.”

Another medal The mixed team event followed 2 days later. While Visintin started the race easily, his partner Michela Moioli was extremely nervous and tense. The reason: As the heavy favorite, she clearly missed out on a medal in the individual race (8th place). “I tried to help her as best as I could. She was extremely nervous, but in the end we worked really well as a team.” Visintin/Moioli were only beaten by the Americans Lindsey Jacobellis/Nick Baumgartner.

Moioli and Visintin present the precious metals.

Omar Visintin not only enjoyed the unforgettable Olympic moments, but also the time afterwards. The reception on his return to Algund, but also the interviews and appointments that followed - what are annoying side effects for many other athletes, the winner of the 2014 Boardercross World Cup takes extremely professionally.

Baku is part of the family Omar Visintin is also someone who likes to think outside the box. With his partner Nathalie, he shares a passion for spending a lot of time in nature. Not just to relieve stress, but simply to enjoy your free time. No matter whether you're climbing mountains or going on trips in a converted camper. And border collie mix Baku has always been there since March 2021. Why Baku? “At the beginning of March 2021 we were in Bakuriani in Georgia. There were so many strays on the streets that we decided to get a dog that would have a good life with us. Then I won the race too, and hence the name Baku.”

Here Omar Visintin beams from the podium with his dog Baku.

With Baku, Omar Visintin discovered another passion: he does dog sports with him and even won his first competition with him a few weeks ago in the obedience discipline (obedience, execution of various exercises). “We were the best in the entry-level class, but we still have a long way to go,” explains Visintin. “Much more important: We have him trained as a search dog and have been taking courses since the end of the summer to pass the exam for area searches (missing persons). Training to become an avalanche dog would be the next step.” With a laugh, Visintin remembers his first weeks with Baku: “He ate up our whole couch.”

Attack on a World Cup medal But currently the focus is on the new season. It begins on December 3rd in Les Deux Alpes in France. 10 races are on the program. “I go into the races knowing that I can compete for podium places anytime and anywhere. It's a World Cup year and a World Cup medal is still missing from my collection. The fact that I have already won on this track is of secondary importance. The slope will no longer have the same profile as in 2021, but the feeling is good.”

Especially since the preparation for the season went according to plan. “I deliberately took time off until the end of May and only then started training. Training under pressure is not my thing. I rode my bike a lot and went up the mountain. From September we were almost always on the Stelvio Pass, most recently in Cervinia for two weeks. I can start again, I feel ready.”

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Omar Visintin: The dog tamer attacks again

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