Only those who participate know what the preparation and competition are like. Schedules, meetings, board preparation, physical conditioning, recovery, nutrition, warm-up on the slope, the basic routine of the competitive day. At the competition, everything has to be perfect. We arrive at the start and set up a base, where the ski table is located, to prepare the boards before each run. My backpack is carefully packed with liquids for hydration, specific start foods, energy drinks, elastic bands for warm-up exercises, three goggles, and two pairs of gloves. On snowstorm days, we even bring an umbrella. The descent lasts a maximum of 1.5 minutes, and on average, on a competition day, we spend three to four hours on the mountain, completing four to six runs on the SBX slope, plus about three warm-up runs out of the SBX tracks. So most of the time we are preparing, analyzing and waiting.
The cameras are working hard, all my runs are filmed from at least one angle that allows us to see a key part of the slope, and we also record the best athletes for reference. Before each run, I radio my coach, Ivan, to have feedback on the run, the line, and how the other athletes are performing in various sections. The Argentine team coach, Maxi Cataldi, also helps us, providing feedback from other sections of the slope that Ivan can’t see. Brazilian skier Lucas Falcone, who has always had a keen interest in everything related to board traction, joined in and did a great job in Montafon and Solitude. Furthermore, for the first time, he earned points to participate in the Snowboard World Cup stages. In Solitude, besides working hard accelerating my and his boards, he also competed as an athlete! My sister Ana was also were there to see me and ended up having a camera in hand, helping with the filming, providing further support.
We also have a physiotherapist this season, Jacqueline Poffet, who has worked with the Swiss team for many years and has always been very helpful with our team a few times when I got injured. During the Solitude stage, after qualifying, I was feeling unwell, with severe muscle pain, and her work was crucial to my feeling well on the day of the finals.
This is what happens behind the scenes on a competition day. Intense days where I seek the best conditions to give my best on the track!
I’m going through an interesting phase in my career. I know I’m near the end, and I’m striving to innovate and motivate myself. I believe this is the fuel for an athlete. The more motivation, the more energy and creativity to find ways to excel.
For those who want to stay connected and follow me, the next stages of the World Cup circuit will be:
Bansko, Bulgaria: February 2 (qualifying); February 4 (finals)
Feldberg, Germany: February 10 (qualifying); February 11 and 12 (finals 1 and 2)
La Molina, Spain: March 4 (qualifying); March 5 (finals)
Sierra Nevada, Spain (World Championships): March 11 (qualifying); March 12 (finals)
Veysonnaz, Switzerland: March 24 (qualifying); March 25 (finals)
That’s it, thanks for the support, and let’s go, Brazil in the snow!!
