The snowboarder is the first Italian ever to reach this milestone: “My first Olympics in 2002 was truly a different world. My future? Every morning in the barn. But maybe even with an Olympic medal around my neck”

Happiness is the cold air on your face. A snowboard under your feet—the secret elixir of eternal youth. Ahead, in every direction, only mountains. This is Roland Fischnaller’s stage as he prepares to compete in his historic seventh Olympics at the Milan-Cortina Games at age 45, becoming the first Italian ever to compete in seven Winter Olympics.

Roland, there are just a few days left until the Games begin. How are you feeling?

“Great. On Saturday at the World Cup in Slovenia, I took home a nice second-place finish in a photo finish. I’m having fun on the board, which is the most important thing. I can’t wait to be in Livigno and compete in these Olympics on home turf.”

How exciting will it be to compete in Italy?

“Having already competed in the Games in Turin, I know it will be incredible. You feel a sense of pride and total joy. And I’m also excited about the spectacle we’ll see in Livigno: with so much snow, it will be the most beautiful Olympics in recent years. Images of our beautiful Italy will undoubtedly be seen around the world.”

No other Italian athlete has competed in as many Winter Games

This will be your seventh Olympics. Does that number impress you?

“I’m thrilled about this milestone, but what makes me proudest is being able to say I gave it my all. My mom always told me, ‘If you do something, you have to do it well—to the best of your ability.’ And I can look inside myself and say I’ve done just that with snowboarding.”

What memories do you have of your first Games?

“We were in the United States, in Salt Lake City, 24 years ago… I remember a sea of people, so much excitement… it seems like another world when I think back on it today: no social media, with a completely different way of communicating. For me, it was my first time on a stage of that level; I was just a kid with his board, driven by excitement.”

And what advice would you give that young boy today?

“I’d tell him not to let the unexpected get him down. I suffered a lot from knee pain; I didn’t know if I’d be able to continue my career for long, but here we are. So I’d tell him not to worry too much.”

You’ve won almost everything in your career, but an Olympic podium finish is still missing—you came so close at the last Games. Do you feel the pressure to achieve it now?

“No, I’m calm. I want to enjoy these home Olympics and compete to the best of my ability. I feel physically very good, so I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have any goals, but I’m calm.”

You’ve called the Italian team “the strongest ever.” What do you like about this group?

“Beyond the tangible results this season has brought us, I think there’s a lot of positivity, respect, and a desire to have fun and do well. It’s the right mix—there’s tension—which is normal before the Games—but it’s a healthy, competitive tension.”

My kids snowboard; they’re really good on the board.

Roland Fischnaller
Italian snowboarder

What is your role within this group?

“I feel a bit like the captain, or maybe the grandpa of the group. There’s a 27-year age gap between me and the younger ones, and I have a lot of fun hanging out with them; training together is motivating for everyone, and the kids help me with social media and uploading photos…”.

How do you see yourself after the Games?

“Like a classic South Tyrolean farmer, in the barn every morning, happy and proud in my Val di Funes alongside my family. But maybe also with an Olympic medal around my neck.”

Do your two children, Heidi and Florian, snowboard too?

“Yes. On Saturday—when I finished second in the World Cup—Heidi also placed second in her race! They’re really strong on the board; they’ve got plenty of talent. Above all, I like that they’re having fun, that they’re out in nature, and that they’re learning everything this sport has to teach.”

What has snowboarding taught you?

“Dedication, commitment, but also the fun and joy of being able to achieve something great—beyond your wildest dreams.”

And what have the mountains taught you?

“To stay alert. You have to listen to them to understand when they can be dangerous. When you know how to recognize that, it’s a source of joy and beauty.”