With a mixture of inner calm and determination, “Dory” is getting ready for a magical season 

If you asked her whether she was already dreaming about that all-important date of 7 February - the day the Beijing 2022 Giant Slalom competition takes place - Marta Bassino would no doubt tell you to “calm down, as you have to live your dreams in the moment, not beforehand”.

Nicknamed Dory, after the friendly but forgetful friend of Nemo in the Disney animation, the 25-year-old from Borgo San Dalmazzo (Cuneo) fulfilled a lifelong dream last year when she won the Giant Slalom globe after securing six podium finishes, including four victories. It was a triumph made all the sweeter by a sensational double win at the Giant Slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, in mid-January. But the glorious moments didn’t end there, she also brought home to Italy a first parallel gold medal in 26 years when she triumphed at the World Championships in Cortina. It is a discipline she will once again look to be victorious in when she competes in the mixed team event in Beijing.

The previous season, Bassino became the first Italian to reach the podium in five different disciplines (Giant Slalom, Combined, Parallel Slalom, Super-G and Downhill) when she won the Giant Slalom in Killington, USA. She seems to be on unstoppable form heading into the traditional season opener, which takes place on the Rettenbach glacier in Soelden on 23 October. Read her exclusive interview with Olympics.com below.

The technical leader of a dream team

OC: You are the technical leader of a women’s team that, in the history of Italian skiing, has never been so strong (Federica Brignone won the overall Globe in 2020, while Sofia Goggia won the downhill Glove in 2021). How do you cope with the competition posed by your teammates?

Marta Bassino: I still think that having strong teammates to train with makes a difference, because it definitely spurs you on. They help you to get the best out of yourself in every situation, starting with the training that helps us to show our determination when we race.

OC: Sofia Goggia recently said that "she feels like an electric guitar, while Bassino is a violin". Is that something you agree with?

MB: I like the metaphor and I think it does reflect our characters. I am a bit more calm and quiet in my approach to everyday life, which is also reflected in the way I ski. It makes me look cleaner, whereas she is a little more “messy” - hence the electric guitar comparison (laughs).

OC: What quality would you take from Brignone and Goggia?

MB: They are both very determined athletes and they know how to fight for their goals. Since I began training with them I have watched them closely, and measuring myself against them has been a great help.

On top of the world and with her eyes on Beijing

OC: You begin the season as the queen of the Giant Slalom World Cup. Are you focused on winning the Globe in this discipline or are you also aiming for the overall Globe?

MB: The work I did over the summer went really well, both physically and in terms of skiing preparation, so I’m ready to go again. I’m aware of what I achieved last year and the goal I achieved. So of course, that's my starting point, but I always say that every race and every season is different. The overall Globe would be fantastic and the new format (with equal numbers of fast and technical races) means the competition is more open. But there are a lot of fast ladies out there, so it will be a great experience.

OC: When Soelden ends it will be a little more than 100 days to go until Beijing 2022 (27 October). Are you already beginning to feel a buzz in the air?

MB: 100 days are a long time for an athlete when the season is beginning! Of course, we all know that this is the highlight of the season, but as I said, I prefer to live day-to-day.

OC: But if you could let yourself dream a little - If you had to pick one competition to win this season, would it be the Olympics?

MB: A World Cup Globe that you win after a season that involves many races, or a one-off event like the Olympics? They’re two different things, it’s impossible to choose between them, although, of course, I know in my mind that Beijing 2022 is the year’s biggest goal.

OC: At PyeongChang 2018 you finished fifth - just off the podium - on your Olympic debut at just 21 years old. Do you have any regrets about that?

MB: No, it was a really great experience, it was my first Olympics and I enjoyed it a lot. Even if everything was a bit strange at times, it was very nice.

The reak secret is the mind

OC: Last year in Cortina everyone was expecting you to triumph in your favoured discipline but instead you won the parallel title. Life and sport can be strange at times!

MB: I really like parallel as a discipline, partly because it’s different and more fun than the Giant Slalom. Your opponent is next to you, pushing you in real time to reach your own limits and stay ahead of her. But it’s clear that the discipline I feel is more “mine” is the Giant Slalom.

OC: After Simone Biles' difficult experiences at Tokyo 2020, more attention has been brought to the "mental health" of athletes. What do you think about the subject?

MB: It doesn't surprise me, I've always said that between mind and body it's the former that makes the difference. You can feel good physically and technically strong but if things don’t come together and you’re not mentally well, you won’t go anywhere. Personally, I have meditated for some years now and it helps me deal with the different situations life throws at you.

OC: The winter competition season involves a lot of travel and routines that can be very tiring. How do you relax and distract yourself?

MB: As you said, we’re always on the road. I'm usually busy during the afternoons so, if I can, I take a nap before doing a physical session or reviewing videos of track work. After dinner, I like to watch a TV series or read a book, so I always have a novel at hand. Last year, my friends and I got into Bridgerton (a series on Netflix). We watched the episodes together and talked about them. We laughed a lot and it helped us both relax and improve our team spirit.