Third in the Olympic downhill, fifth after the speed run in the combined event and awaiting the super-G, Domme Paris takes stock of his career: “This summer I will enjoy my children and family, and I will play with my band. We already have three concerts lined up.”

Bronze in the Olympic downhill in Milan Cortina behind Von Allmen and Franzoni, fifth after the speed run in the team combined (now waiting for his teammate Tommy Sala’s slalom). Dominik Paris is smiling and relaxed as he arrives in the mixed zone at the bottom of the Stelvio slope in Bormio. Jokes, thoughts, reflections: ten minutes to take stock of his career. ” Because now I am truly at peace with myself.“

How did you feel the day after winning bronze, Dominik?

”Ah, I finally slept really well! It was my first, and perhaps my last, Olympic medal. I got rid of everything, the tension, the pressure.”

Well, but there’s still the combined… .

“Ah yes, yes, but I believe in the medal. Tommy Sala is a solid slalom skier and we’re in a good position, 6 tenths behind Franzoni-Vinatzer.”

How did you choose the pairs?

“Giovanni did better in the downhill, so he chose first, then me, and so on. I’ve competed with Vinatzer many times, so I don’t mind changing, heh heh heh.“

Did you talk to your family after winning the bronze? What did your children say?

”Oh yes, yes, I talk to them every day and we video call each other. They said, ‘Dad, you finally got it…’. They always ask me to come home with something, but this time I’m coming home.“

And what are you bringing them? What did you buy them?

”Buy? No, no, they were talking about coming home with the medal, heh heh heh. I’m at peace with myself now. It’s a bit of a shame when I look back…“.

What for?

”The downhill cup I never won. And it was mostly my fault. I always went all out, thinking only about winning races. Instead, when I look back, sometimes I should have been satisfied with my placing. Beat Feuz beat me like that: in some seasons I won half the races, but he was always right behind me. Other times I took too many risks and he placed. Oh well, that’s how it went. I always push myself to the limit, that’s my character.“

What’s next?

”Well, I don’t think about it. When I was little, I dreamed of becoming the greatest Italian downhill skier ever, but I never expected to make it. Instead, I did it, and people love me, which makes up for not winning the specialty cup and makes me feel at peace.”

Will you write a song after the Olympics? To celebrate?

“Ah no, no, now it’s time to relax. But we already have three concerts lined up for the summer with the band: two in Switzerland and one in my hometown. But we’re getting other requests too, so we’ll see.”