The Italian speed star has undergone initial medical tests after persistent fatigue forced her to cut short a preseason training camp in Argentina. Her timeline for returning to snow remains uncertain.
Sofia Goggia has returned to Italy earlier than planned after experiencing an unexplained illness during the Italian women’s speed team’s preseason training camp in Ushuaia, Argentina.
According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Goggia flew home Friday after persistent fatigue prevented her from training. The 2018 Olympic downhill champion underwent an initial round of medical examinations Saturday, with additional testing expected in the coming days to determine the cause of the illness and when she may resume preparation for the 2026-27 World Cup season.
Goggia had been training in Ushuaia since Aug. 23 alongside Italian teammates Laura Pirovano, Elena Curtoni and Marta Bassino. She was originally expected to continue to Chile as part of her preparation for the upcoming season.
Fatigue forces change of plans
Italian women’s technical director Gianluca Rulfi told Gazzetta that the issue was not related to an injury. Instead, Goggia was dealing with persistent fatigue and did not feel well enough to train safely.
The team initially gave her two or three days away from training to see whether her condition would improve. When the fatigue continued, Goggia and the Italian federation’s medical staff decided she should return home for more extensive testing. Rulfi said arranging those examinations in Argentina would have taken too long.
Goggia had reportedly trained well during the opening portion of the camp, completing sessions in super-G, giant slalom and slalom before becoming unwell.
Rulfi mentioned hantavirus as one of many theoretical possibilities, but no diagnosis has been announced. The nature of Goggia’s illness remains unknown pending further medical evaluation.
The report also referenced speculation about disagreements between Goggia and her new ski technician, Markus Gufler, but stated that those alleged tensions were not behind her early departure.
Is the Sölden opener in doubt?
It is too early to know whether the interruption will affect Goggia’s planned start to the World Cup season. The opening women’s giant slalom is scheduled for Oct. 24 in Sölden, Austria, leaving approximately six weeks for her to recover and resume training.
Goggia enters the new season with 29 World Cup victories, including 19 in downhill. One more win would move her to the 30-victory milestone, while another downhill triumph would be the 20th of her career in the discipline.
Her primary championship objective is expected to be the 2027 World Championships in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, where she will pursue the first world title of her career.
For now, the focus is on identifying the cause of the fatigue and determining when Goggia can safely return to training. Neither the Italian federation nor Goggia’s team has announced a timetable.
Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport
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