Biathlon: Lisa Vittozzi makes a winning comeback, but caution is the order of the day in the Italian clan
At the beginning of the month, Lisa Vittozzi, after many months without putting on a race number, rediscovered the thrill of head-to-head racing at the Blink Festival. In the streets of Sandnes (Norway), the Italian was more than convincing, finishing second in the super sprint and then winning the mass-start.
“Obviously, she was happy, because it was inevitable to have some doubts when she came back after such a long absence. But I was expecting her to put in a good performance, because I’d been following her training, watching her progress day after day,” says Klaus Hoellrigl, Italian biathlon sporting director, to Fondo Italia. I knew she already had what it takes to win these races.
However, the transalpine technician does not want to get carried away just three months before the start of the Olympic season. “These are [only] summer competitions, on a short, flat wheel-ski circuit. So we still have a lot of work to do over the next few months to see the real Lisa Vittozzi in action,” he says.
“For the moment, it’s not right to talk about medals or anything else, it’s not the right time”.
She goes on to warn: “I think the fact that she’s been out for a year takes some of the pressure off her. Nobody can put her among the favourites just yet, because it takes a lot of work to get her back to a certain level. Despite the victory in Norway, we have to take things slowly and keep our feet on the ground, without thinking about results.
“Today, for her, it’s only important to stay focused on the work, always on herself. For the moment, it’s not right to talk about medals or anything else, it’s not the right time,” he concludes. But I’m convinced that between now and the start of the season, she’ll make progress, and if she gets back to her best in winter, she’ll have the experience and mental strength to cope with the pressure of the Olympic Games in Italy.
This weekend, at the Italian Summer Championships in Antholz (Italy), Lisa Vittozzi will be testing herself once again. She will be up against the likes of Lisa Theresa Hauser, Suvi Minkkinen, Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, Anna Gandler and Maren Kirkeeide.
- Blink Festival: Lisa Vittozzi dominates the mass-start ahead of Lou Jeanmonnot, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet fourth
- “I know I’m a good biathlete, and today was absolutely perfect”: Lisa Vittozzi reflects on her victory in the Blink Festival mass-start.
- “As we go along, her confidence grows”: Edoardo Mezzaro, Lisa Vittozzi’s coach, takes stock of the Italian’s preparations.
