Interview - Aksel Svindal

Behind every great success there is an enormous amount of athletic and technical preparation work. How important was it for you to be able to train on the slopes of Paganella?

Having a training facility with good conditions is extremely important and in Paganella I really feel at home. I've been coming there for training many years now. Both summer and winter. And of course for the Alpine Rockfest every year. Good conditions, great mountain, great view and great food.

Talking of skiing and Trentino, we just have to mention the 3Tre in Madonna di Campiglio. What are your memories of this competition?

I raced in Madonna only a few times, as I'm not a slalom specialist. But I do remember it being one of the great races, with the ski legends back in the days when Tomba was racing. You can feel the atmosphere and it is really one of the big slalom classics.

What did you appreciate most about the ski areas and skiing opportunities in Trentino?

The stable weather conditions mixed with great mountains and beautiful view. You can even see Lake Garda. And not to mention the welcoming people with a great culture for food and dining.

A warm welcome, hospitality and Italian style. These are the factors that won you over and convinced you to come back to Trentino time and time again together with your family or friends. So not for professional reasons but for relaxation and enjoyment?

Yes. It's exactly that Italian flare that brings that little something extra to Trentino. The mountains and the good skiing combined with that feeling of a culture you normally experience on the riviera. I've brought family with me before, but I'm thinking to arrange a trip for all my friends from Oslo to show them what skiing and enjoying can be all about.