Published: 11.01.24

ISOLDE KOSTNER: Former Italian alpine skier, specialized in speed races. With 15 World Cup victories, two Downhill World Cups, three Olympic medals, three world championship titles and various other prestigious national and international successes, she is one of the most successful Italian skiers in history. She was the flag bearer for Italy at the opening ceremony of the XIX Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City in 2002 and held the record for the most podium finishes by an Italian woman in the World Cup (51) until 15 January 2023, when she was overtaken by Federica Brignone (56). She even stood on the top step of the Gardenissima seven times.

How did you start doing this sport?
Ever since I was a child, anything where I could move I liked. The first sport I learnt was actually skiing. I first put them on when I was 2 years and 9 months old. Snow and ice have always been my passions.

Isolde Kostner‘s greatest quality and greatest weakness?
According to many, the greatest sporting quality was being able to slide skis. I confirm this thesis. I was often referred to as the skier with feet of gold. My weakness? I certainly struggled a lot on steep, icy, rough slopes, as I could not put my skis on the edges like other athletes.

What was the darkest moment in your career?
In November 2002, when I fell at Lake Louise, I suffered a fairly serious concussion. It took me over a year to recover, to the point that at the beginning start of the 2003-04 racing season I was no longer able to achieve results that were satisfactory to me. That, undoubtedly, I can define the lowest period of my career. At that point, for the first time, I sought the support of a sports psychologist who helped me regain confidence and helped me a lot.

What was the most brilliant moment of your career?
Downhill World Cup victories in 2001 and 2002. As an athlete that was the greatest satisfaction, as it made me realise, first and foremost to myself, that I had been the best downhill racer in the world during those years. As a value, probably the various world and Olympic medals have more, but under the personal athletic aspect, I reiterate the winning of the speciality cups.

Is there a recipe for becoming a champion?
 First and foremost, living with passion for the sport you practise. That is the foundation of everything. Then, the daily rigorous training associated with it is no longer seen as a burden, but rather as something done with pleasure and enjoyment. These are fundamental aspects to aspire to become champions. Last but not least, perseverance is also important, this not giving up in difficult times.

How can one define the relationship between Isolde Kostner and the Gardenissima?
Back in the days as an athlete, it was always a highlight at the end of the season. A special conclusion to the competitive season, also being the only race ‚at home‘. It was always lived with enthusiasm. Nowadays, it is the only race I still participate in, so it is always a great pleasure, albeit with different priorities.

What advice should be given to a young person intending to follow in the footsteps, from a sporting point of view, of Isolde Kostner?
Have passion in what you do. Having perseverance, never giving in. To dream and not give in in wanting to achieve it, always telling yourself that nothing is impossible.

A wish and desire for the future of Gardenissima.
May we be lucky with the weather, as we have been so far, so that the event can be confirmed as it has been in the past. My wish is that the Gardenissima will help keep up the passion of young and old for this beautiful sport.