So much for the identity card. Skis as an elixir of life. The numbers say it, today's but also yesterday's. If for some time the white circus, both male and female, has been wondering about the reasons for a generational change that is slow in arriving, there must be a reason.
Indeed, if there are no budding champions on the horizon, there are those who do Lindsey Vonn at forty years old and almost six years after retiringwith a bad knee she returned to the track in Sainkt Moritz, immediately recording a stunning fourteenth place.
In the season of returns, that of the American queen is sensational. It is difficult to establish the contours, especially the real reasons, the fact is that what we saw in the super G in Saint Moritz suggests that it was anything but a reckless choice. Looking closely at the rankings, all or almost all the athletes on the front line are “Over 30” so much so that a champion like Marco Odermatt appears almost an exception.
As for the Italian men's team, deservedly taking center stage on the Saslong in Val Gardena on Friday was Mattia Casse who at the age of 34 he managed to get the satisfaction of winning a world cup race.
He had never succeeded before, «but I never gave up» the Piedmontese underlined with a hint of pride, «I still feel like a youngster and as long as the condition permits I continue on my way. The age of athletes has gotten longer, thanks to many factors. The important thing is to feel good and have desire and passion.”
Always from Val Gardena and always about the Italian men's ski team, how could we not mention it Christof Innerhofer, just forty years old who does not intend to raise the white flag to the satisfaction of his fans, who even at the foot of the Saslong, gave him open applause.
Christof Innerhofer on the Streif
«As long as the fire inside burns strong I'll stay here», said the South Tyrolean athlete on the sidelines of yesterday's excellent downhill race, which ended in the top 30, «Quitting isn't a thought in my head right now. I'm fine, in training I'm still among the best. Of course, I would like to be able to do something more in the race, especially for morale. However, the season is long and I am by nature an incurable optimist.”
Speaking of special quotes, ID card in hand, how not to dedicate a special thought to Sofia Goggia, a thirty-two year old with a fearless heart.
Sofia Goggia, indestructible
Because in the face of the injuries he has suffered, especially the latest one which forced him to stop for about ten months, there seems to be no age that matters. Yesterday in Saintkt Moritz third podium out of three races held. Having been back on track for less than a month, the champion from Bergamo seems to have set things straight. The road to sunset is still far away.
