SANTA CRISTINA – Sofia dances on the history of skiing. Disciple Goggia: even the teachers of the blue snow are now studying this phenomenon of a girl who in three weeks has been on the podium of the world cup six times in four different specialties (giant, descent, super-G, combined). The Bergamo, 24, does not stop anymore: and today the super-G, the race she likes best and that revealed her on the international stage at the world championships in Schladming 2013, when she was 4th at only 5 cents from bronze and then disappeared for various injuries and four knee operations. Now, here it is: second in the overall standings (with 467 points) behind the American Martian Mikaela Shiffrin (498).

Sofia’s journey continues with 3rd place in the free race in Val d’Isere won by the Slovenian Stuhec, after she was third in France also combined, outnumbering the most successful in Italy, Deborah Compagnoni and Isolde Kostner. “And the thing that strikes you most, is that it goes strong in several disciplines: Deborah and I were not like that”. 15 successes in the world cup, two downhill cups, one silver and two Olympic bronzes, two world titles and a silver one: Kostner, 41, runs a hotel now. But when he can, he is there watching TV in the future.

Isolde, looks surprised. 
“Very much. Especially because of the way in which Sofia skis. I followed her well in the descent to Lake Louise, I was very impressed by her determination. To say the truth; I didn’t expect to see such a strong athlete.”

What are the qualities of Goggia?
“I don’t know her personally, even though I know of her injuries, which fortunately I didn’t have. So, I say: the technique, first of all. It is good both on flat sections of the track and in the more technical ones, it’s smooth and attacking in any “Snow condition. It has a formidable mix of ingredients. And it is still young to improve some details. I would say we found a complete skier, the multipurpose that was missing. I was more carried for speed, Deborah for more technical specialties, Sofia instead astounds with its ability to adapt to everything “.

Where can he go?
“The important thing is that it started this way and that it found continuity. Yes, it still lacks success, but it will come. Starting the season with the awareness of being competitive strengthens mentally and moving forward is easier. You can aim high. And also, to make a world championship as a protagonist “.

What has changed in this generation compared to yours? 
“Very much: we were much stiffer than our heads. If we had to do a half-hour workout, we did that. The young women seem to me more flexible on how and how much they ski or sleep. Rest is part of modern training and at certain times “Can be an advantage. Athletes like Shiffrin work as a team. They are much more professionally followed; we were ski artisans.”