Switzerland’s Dario Cologna stormed to his second victory in the FIS Tour de Ski last season. In the forthcoming season he could become the first athlete to win it three times.
FIS Cross-Country News talked to the young Swiss skier about motivation, plans for the season and more.
Q: Dario, could you describe what is so special for you about the FIS Tour de Ski?
Dario Cologna: First of all, the FIS Tour de Ski is a series of competitions. If you want to be in front at the end you have to show very good results on all 10 days of the Tour. There are all race formats in the Tour, sprints and distance races, classical and free technique competitions. It is a big challenge for the whole team to give their best every day, from material, preparation and competition to recuperation.
Q: Is there a particular Tour de Ski stage you look forward to and on the other hand which one is your least favorite?
D.C.: I like competitions in Oberstdorf and Val di Fiemme. However, every race has its special charm and I like very much the diversity of competitions. The race from Cortina to Toblach is also very nice although I have to question the rationale for sending the leader out first ahead of the pack. That has an impact on the entire Tour.
Q: Soon we have 100 days left till the next edition of FIS Tour de Ski. What are your thoughts about that? You could be the first athlete to win it three times.
D.C: The FIS Tour de Ski is again for me the most important goal next season. I’m already looking forward to it and I hope I will be in the same shape as I was last season. I think I know what it takes to be in shape.
Q: Next edition of the FIS Tour de Ski will be tougher and longer. Does it suit you? What do you think about the program?
D.C.: Although there is one race more in the program, the Tour locations remained the same and also travelling days did not increase. I think there should not be more races in the Tour program. The Tour is hard enough and if it is even tougher we would need more time to recover.
Q: Last season you won both the FIS Tour de Ski and the overall World Cup standing. How difficult it is to find motivation for the upcoming winter?
D.C: I’m still young and hungry. When I am on the start line, I always want to win. Therefore it’s not a problem for me to find motivation.
Q: Some skiers have been searching for new inputs in long distance races. Have you thought about it as well?
D.C.: My goals lie in the FIS Tour de Ski and the overall World Cup standing. I will thus focus on World Cup competitions. I can still take part in long distance races when I am 50.
Q: Your Fan Club with cowbells has become very well known at various World Cup sites. How important is the support of your fans for you?
D.C: Of course it’s very nice when I have such a great fan club. They are always enthusiastic and that naturally motivates me too.
Q: How has been your training season so far? Have you introduced some new features in your training?
D.C: The training phase has been very good so far. I had some small problems with my calf when I was running. On that account I had to reduce the amount of running workouts. But I think my shape is good and I’m looking forward to the first competitions. I have carried out some high altitude trainings and I hope they will bring some new inputs.
