Keystone/AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta
At just 16 years old, Giada D’Antonio celebrated her World Cup debut in the Semmering slalom on Sunday. Even though the Italian probably imagined that her first race would be different, joy prevails in the finishing area.
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- Giada D’Antonio is rewarded for her rapid rise and made her World Cup debut in the Semmering slalom on Sunday.
- As with many opponents, the difficult track conditions proved fatal: the Italian was eliminated in the first heat.
- Despite the complicated debut, after the “trial by fire” joy prevails: “I received wonderful messages from Naples and lots of encouragement.”
At just 16 years old Giada D’Antonio made his World Cup debut in the Semmering slalom on Sunday. Even though the Italian had probably imagined a different debut, it was still joy that prevailed at the finish line.
D’Antonio is the new one child prodigy of the Ski World Cup. After a meteoric rise in recent months, the 16-year-old is rewarded with her debut in the Semmering slalom on Sunday.
In reality, however, there is little to celebrate. On a heavily marked track, there is nothing the Italian can do: like almost half of her opponents, the talented young girl is also eliminated in the first heat.
«The start was a moment of great tension, because I absolutely wanted to get to the finish line and give my best», admits the rising star in an interview with the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI).
«The track was really very damaged and it wasn’t easy. I tried not to give up, but in the end that’s how it went.”
No eyes for Shiffrin
Despite the exit, satisfaction prevailed for D’Antonio after the match: «I received wonderful messages from Naples and lots of encouragement. I’m happy to start my story: feeling that so many people are rooting for me is exciting.”
«This experience shows that you can dream big and work towards important goals. Everything is possible. You never forget your World Cup debut: regardless of the result, I’m happy”, says the Neapolitan athlete.
She seems to have found the right concentration despite her young age. Asked about warming up next to her idol Mikaela Shiffrinshe simply replies: «I practically didn’t even notice it: from the first descent I was completely focused on the track».
