Karbon talks about winning the GS globe

By Published On: March 2nd, 2008Comments Off on Karbon talks about winning the GS globe

Following impressive victories in five of the six Giant Slaloms this season and the cancellation of the race in Zwiesel, Denise Karbon, the 27-year-old racer from Kastelruth is now the winner of the Giant Slalom World Cup. In this interview, provided by Fischer, the Italian talks about the reasons behind her success, her plans for the future and why this globe means a lot more to her than her two World Championship medals.

Following impressive victories in five of the six Giant Slaloms this season and the cancellation of the race in Zwiesel, Denise Karbon, the 27-year-old racer from Kastelruth is now the winner of the Giant Slalom World Cup. In this interview, provided by Fischer, the Italian talks about the reasons behind her success, her plans for the future and why this globe means a lot more to her than her two World Championship medals.

Denise, now that the Giant Slalom in Zwiesel has been cancelled, the title is yours. You have won the Giant Slalom World Cup.

    Yes, I'm very happy that it's worked out. I wasn't that happy to begin with though because I would have liked to clinch the title in the race. My preparations went really well over the last five weeks and I had my sights set on a good result in Zwiesel. Regrettably, however, the conditions were against us. This leaves us with the race in Bormio. And once again I want to put in the best performance I can there.

Did overall victory in the Giant Slalom feature in your pre-season plans?

    No, not at all. I'd never skied consistently enough throughout an entire season before, I'd just had good individual results. Being up there with the leaders for the whole season is what really makes you one of the good racers. This is what makes me so proud – I didn't know I had it in me.

What means more to you: the two World Championship medals or this World Cup discipline globe?

    This globe means more to me. The skiers who win globes rank among the best in the world. A medal is won in one race and it's often a question of luck. I've never said that before because so far I'd "only" won medals myself. But the globe shows that you have been strong throughout an entire season.

Have you already celebrated winning the Giant Slalom globe?

    There have been a couple of small celebrations. I've drunk a toast here in Zwiesel with my fan club and also with the team. And then we'll certainly drink to the title at home. We'll wait with the big celebration though until I bring the globe home with me.

How will you spend your time until the final race in Bormio?

     I'll be training in Bormio next week and then a couple days more in Pozzo di Fassa. Then I'll head back to Bormio two or three days before the race.

You've won five races so far this season and rank among the most successful athletes as a result.

    It's a very special season for me, by far the best so far. I did in fact get a taste of things to come with the victory in Sölden. That was a real confidence booster. The equipment was also just right from the very beginning and then many things just seemed to fall into place.

What are the reasons behind this success?

    For me the main reason is the hard work we have put in over the last years. All the ups and downs, the injuries and the good results made me stronger. Everything around me is just fine, things at home are OK and my physical condition is good, too. Plus I can rely 100% on my equipment. All these factors can take you closer to the limit.

How is your injured thumb?

    The fracture hasn't healed well. It must have shifted somewhat through the Slalom skiing. The doctors have straightened again and put it in plaster. We'll see after Bormio whether I'll need another operation or not.

What are your plans for summer?

    I haven't really planned that much yet. I'll certainly still be very busy in April. I'd like to keep a few days in May free for a holiday and then it will be back to business again. My boyfriend and I want to get a camper van and tour parts of Italy.

Will you also limit your races to Giant Slalom and Slalom again next season?

    Yes, the speed disciplines are not for me. I've had a few good results now in the Slalom and I'd like to become more consistent. My biggest goal is to make it into the first group in Slalom.

You have earned a lot of money this season. What are you going to do with it?

    It will go into a savings account to begin with. I'd like to build a house in the district where I live but it's not that easy to get plots of land where we are.

After their daughter's successes you'd think Kastelruth would consider making a present of a plot of land.

    It would mean a lot to me if I could just buy a suitable plot…

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