Silvano, what was your personal highlight of last season?

My personal highlight was the European Championships in Azerbaijan at the beginning of March. I won a silver medal in the U23 vertical and a bronze medal in the individual. Shortly afterwards, I also finished fifth in the team classification at the Long Distance World Championships in Arêches-Beaufort, where there was no separate junior category, and eighth overall. In total, I achieved four top-ten finishes among the senior athletes in World Cup races, and that in my very first season. I know that is exceptional, and I am very proud of it. It was a very successful season.

Was there also a setback or a difficult situation?

It was frustrating that I was ill for my first World Cup event and could not start. Apart from that, the season went by without any injuries. Since most of the races took place after the Olympic Winter Games, I was able to prepare for them perfectly.

What goal have you set yourself for the coming season?

I would like to build on last season’s results. I want to be successful again at the U23 World Championships and otherwise continue from where I left off last year while moving further up the rankings. My long-term goal is the 2033 Olympics, because the individual discipline will be included then, which was not yet the case this year. Individual and vertical are my strongest disciplines, and my goal is to be there.

About the Ski-Club and its history

How long have you been with Ski-Club Arlberg?

I have been with the Ski-Club for almost ten years.

What does being a member of such a tradition-rich Ski-Club mean to you personally?

Of course, it is great to be a member of the largest ski club in the world. I am very grateful for the support - it is not something to take for granted - and I have been able to develop freely here.

Do you remember a special anecdote or story from your time with the Ski-Club that will always stay with you?

There is no one particular anecdote, but I always enjoy looking back on the summer camps, when we were often on the glacier. Many of the training sessions were great fun, and I remember them very fondly.

What creates the sense of togetherness in the Ski-Club for you?

No matter what sport you practise, you are supported and welcomed with open arms. That is simply great.

If you imagine the Ski-Club another 25 years from now, what do you hope for the next generation of athletes?

I hope they continue to receive the same level of support that I did, and that this tradition is absolutely maintained.

Silvano, tell us briefly about your season. How did it go?

In July 2024, I reported for basic training at the Goëss Barracks in Klagenfurt. After completing that in mid-August, I was able to fully focus on the sport for the first time. In September, thanks to a brief but intense winter storm, my teammates and I were able to train on snow for the first time.

Where did you prepare for the season?

In the fall, we spent a lot of time on the glaciers, especially on the Kitzsteinhorn, where we were able to optimally prepare for the season.

What was your personal highlight of last season – a race, a moment, or a special encounter?

My World Cup debut was definitely the coolest race of the entire season and will certainly stay with me for a long time.

Which results from last season are you most proud of?

Two medals at the World Championships, two Youth World Cup victories, and five out of five podium finishes in my core disciplines in the Youth World Cup is a result I can definitely be satisfied with. Second place in the overall World Cup also confirms my consistently good performance last season.

What does your training look like? How do you prepare?

I train about 30 hours a week, 6-7 days a week.

From spring to fall, I do a lot of training on my road bike, mountain bike, or trail running.

I also train as much as possible on the Kaunertal Glacier in the spring, and then again in the fall, as soon as the glacier season opens.

Strength and recovery training, as well as physiotherapy sessions, are also part of my daily routine.

Were you able to maintain your training consistently throughout the entire winter season?

The season went almost perfectly, but after the World Championships, I was only able to train to a limited extent due to a prolonged cold and had to conserve all my energy for the competitions.

What was the biggest challenge for you this season?

At the last Youth World Cup in France, the downhills were extremely technical due to the high temperatures the day before and the sub-zero temperatures at night.

Do you have any rituals to avoid getting too nervous before a race?

If I know I'm in good shape, I don't get nervous.

How important is your personal environment to you?

Above all, family, ski association, and ski club are and always have been very important. Otherwise, I'm more of a person who enjoys training alone and taking responsibility for my own performance.

What would you say to yourself at the beginning of the season today?

My motto is generally: "A lot is better - more is better!" However, in some cases, a little less is also more.

What awaits you in the coming season?

I'm really looking forward to next season, in which I'll be competing regularly in the elite category for the first time. Only the European Championships have a U23 ranking, and my goal would, of course, be a medal. In terms of athletics, I want to gain a foothold in the World Cup in my first full season and regularly reach the top 20.