The former Italian champion opens up in an interview with *Corriere della Sera*: his victories, his meeting with Enzo Ferrari, the Olympics, and today’s Italian national team
Another world. Skiing, the fans, the invitation to Maranello to meet Enzo Ferrari. And then Alberto Tomba, the Olympics, and life as a grandfather. Gustav Thoeni talks about a little bit of everything in his interview with Corriere della Sera. The Italian skiing legend from Trafoi, at the foot of the Stelvio Pass where he runs his hotel, recounts his life, starting right from his hometown, which he has never left: “I never thought of living anywhere else. After my first victories away from home, there was always a line of people waiting. The journalists wouldn’t give me a moment’s peace. But I have fond memories. Once, Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy came to visit after the giant slalom in St. Moritz.”
Three daughters, twelve grandchildren, and a world that’s light-years away from today: “I got married at 24 and retired at 29. When my three daughters were born, I was never home. My wife Ingrid was wonderful. I’m a full-time grandpa, and my grandchildren move me to tears.” As for earnings, it was another world entirely: “We’d win the cup and that was it. Once they gave me two televisions, but there was no signal here—they didn’t work. After the parallel slalom, I got a Lancia. Enzo Ferrari welcomed me into a huge office with an enormous desk. He was very kind, but I was intimidated by his personality.”
tomba— On his relationship with Tomba: “Last year, for the 50th anniversary of the Valanga Azzurra, Alberto Tomba surprised me. He’d registered under a fake name: Rossi. We’re very good friends. Back when I was his coach, many evenings the two of us would be alone in the room. We’d cook spaghetti for ourselves. On my birthday, he always calls me at midnight: he wants to be the first to wish me a happy birthday. Today I think he misses having a family. I feel sorry for him. I’d tell him every now and then: ‘You need to settle down!’ But it never worked out”
sinner— A man of the mountains like Jannik Sinner: “He lives in another world. We met only once, last year at the Sports Ball. I went up to him—he was completely swamped. It was just a fleeting moment.” The Olympics are starting, and of course Thoeni will be there too: “I’ll go to Cortina to present my autobiography (*Una scia nel bianco*, Rizzoli) and, most importantly, to carry the torch. They told me I’ll be one of the last torchbearers. Then I’ll watch the Games from home. By ten o’clock, I’m already in bed. A little sports on TV: skiing, soccer, tennis.” And on the great Italian skiers: “Alberto. Compagnoni. Then today, Brignone, Goggia. Tough ones.” Franzoni? “Absolutely brilliant.”
