THE POWER DUO

Nicol and Nadia Delago live for ski races, snow, and winter. We went to have a little afternoon chat with this fun power duo, followed by a bit of training in Vallunga. Skiing and childhood go hand in hand here in South Tyrol, but not everyone takes the next step and becomes a professional skier. What is your story?

Delago sisters: We were born in a beautiful skiing area, to the extent that you learn to walk and ski at the same time. On top of that, our father was a ski instructor – it was inevitable (laughs). On top of that, we lived right next to a slope, which made it easier to train a bit right after school. In other words, we had a family who was absolutely bonkers about skiing.

Have many of your friends also got bitten by the ski bug?

Delago sisters: Actually, there are a surprising number of Gardenesi in Italian teams – and of course some of them are our friends. In a team of 7, an average of 5 are from Val Gardena.

At your age, you normally tend to go out and meet friends. How often do you see friends who are not involved at all with skiing?

Delago sisters: As often as possible when we are at home. We shall see what happens in the future: this career is something you can keep doing until you are 30. After that, you have to find something more stable.

Two athletes, the same discipline and from the same family, to boot. Rivalry between sisters: what is the deal?

Delago sisters: There is none (they both say right away). Quite the opposite: it has huge advantages. We motivate and help each other out, suggest training sessions and then we exchange our experience and results right after we finish.

Who inspires you?

Delago sisters: Isolde Kostner (immediate answer). It is a privilege to have a role model from our ranks. Lindsey Vonn is another role model.

It is summer now –where do you train when it is hot?

Delago sisters: During summer we focus on dryland training and exercise every day, except Sundays. If it is not too hot, then we will also train with skis. Bootcamps with other athletes are often organised during the summer: these focus on strength, stamina, and coordination.

One last question: summer or winter?

Delago sisters: (both at the same time, without thinking too much about it) WINTER!! We enjoy summer, but we are absolute winter fans (grin).