Q: How do you rate your performances at the Grand Prix? You skated a lot better at the Cup of China than at Skate America. What made the difference?
A: I think my Grand Prix was very good, but the second one in China was better, because I had a problem with conditioning in America. I started to skate one week before Skate America so I didn’t do the conditioning. But the Cup of China was very good. I was happy, because I didn’t have a lot time to prepare. But I had more time than before America so I skated well. I wanted to try the triple Axel, but I didn’t feel I can do it in the free program. But I’m happy with the result. It was very good, because it was hard to overcome the ankle injury before.
Q: How did you like Harbin? Have you ever been to China before? What was your impression?
A: I’ve never been in China, that was my first time. It was nice. I was happy to compete there for the first time. It was very good. Yes, l like it. It’s completely different from Europe – it was such a good experience. After the competition I went a little bit around to see something.
Q: As you mentioned, you had some injury problems at the beginning of the season. What happened?
A: I had this injury during the summer. During the practice when I practiced a jump, something happened to my ankle. It was painful, so I couldn’t jump so well. I always felt pain. And later in September I decided to stop (training) because this problem didn’t go away. So I had to stop for about three weeks and to do physiotherapy, rehabilitation. Nothing was broken, but it was problem that required rest. So I decided not to go to Oberstdorf to the Nebelhorn-Trophy because of this injury.
Q: After being Italian Champion for several years, you now had to pass on your title this year to your new rival Samuel Contesti. However, he is not yet eligible to represent Italy in ISU competitions. How much of a motivation is this new competitive situation for you? What do you want to do to win your title back?
A: It’s a big motivation this year, but yes, my next target is to win the next Italian Nationals. I want to beat Samuel Contesti of course. This year for me was very hard with this ankle and I didn’t have a triple Axel. So it was not easy. But for the next year I hope I can have back my title. I won the Italian title five times. It is a good result, it’s not easy. So 6 times without maybe one time second it was too hard I think so. It’s like a little break but I hope only for one year. I will be able to beat Contesti. I trust in me, believe in me so I think and I can do it if I skate well.
Q: Last year you did very well as Europeans, this year it didn’t go as well. What was the difference? What was the illness that affected you? What about your injury?
A: The difference was still a little bit the injury. Because I did three competitions, I did a good Cup of China, Italian Nationals. For Europeans I was in good shape, but I felt a little bit tired, too much pressure. I felt this pressure especially after Italian Nationals and there were too many things - injury and I was sick. After so many things in the same time it wasn’t me, it was very hard.
Q: What do you think about the level on the Men’s Event at Europeans in general this year?
A: I think it was a good level, but I think as about the same as last year. If I skated better I could be maybe around 7th place like last year. The level was good, but not hard, I think it was the same.
Q: I really like your beautiful new costume for the free skating. Who had the idea for this costume and who created it?
A: We created with a designer. She helped us a little bit. But we had the idea for the free program - me and my father and a little bit Edoardo, so we worked together. It was a good costume, but not so comfortable.
Q: So you will change it for Worlds?
A: Yes!
Q: You said that you now mastered the triple Axel. When did it happen? How consistent is the jump now in practice?
A: It happened a little bit before Europeans and I was happy for this because I worked hard for the triple Axel and I was in very good shape and I started to land the triple Axel in practice at Europeans. But then just before the competition in the short program and free program it wasn’t so consistent, so I hesitated to risk it. Maybe I should have, I don’t know. But now I think again (to risk it) for Worlds, but I need to be in good shape. I’m still working to do it this time in competition because I need to do it many times.
Q: Are you thinking about practicing quads?
A: Yes, of course. But first I’m focusing on the Axel. The time (before Worlds) is too short to concentrate on a quad. In summer I tried it and I almost did it. My quads were very good, but when you start the season, you have to do what you know to do. Well! So you have to leave maybe jumps that you are trying, but you don’t do it in competition and focus on programs, spins and the other jumps. So I’ll start again after Worlds. After Worlds I hope I’ll be able to do it again - Toeloop and Salchow. It’s not a big problem. The problem is the Axel, I know it. Somebody says that I can do maybe the (quad) Salchow or Toeloop before the Axel. It’s true, so I did sometimes. But now I need to get the Axel more consistent and I’m sure that the other jumps, quads, will come fast after the Axel.
Q: It’s rather unusual that a skater in your age learns the Axel. The most skaters can do it with age 18, 19...
A: It’s a long-time problem, but now I have to do it! I think before I didn’t work a lot on the Axel because I was too focused on competitions and other jumps but not so much on the Axel. I feel like a youngster (is laughing). Age is only a number for me.
Q: How are you now preparing for Worlds and what goal do you set for yourself?
A: Normally I’m preparing similar as for Europeans. But now it’s better, because I’m training in Oberstdorf. It’s better for conditioning. The goal is to do better than last year, especially for the result. I’d like to progress and to land the Axel of course.
Q: What are your plans after Worlds?
A: I’ll have a vacation.
Q: Are you planning to take part in the summer camp in Flims and to compete at the Nebelhorn-Trophy this year?
A: Yes, I hope to do Nebelhorn-Trophy. I don’t know yet about the summer camp, but I’m planning to come to Oberstdorf and to stay a long time here. At the moment I think Oberstdorf is for sure and the other one I will see after Worlds.
Q: Many thanks for the interview and good luck for Worlds!
