Q + A with Michela Moioli

For our latest interview series with crystal globe winners from the past season, we caught up with SBX triple crystal globe winner, PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Champion and  Solitude 2019 World Champion bronze medallist Michela Moioli (ITA) to find out what she did during off-season and what the globe wins mean to her. Moioli also had some inspiring and honest words about the lockdown and pandemic to share with us.
The only thing the charismatic athlete did not want to quite share with us is what her goals for the upcoming season, which also will have World Championships in store, are. We will simply have to wait and find out then, but we know for sure what our goal is – we want to be poppin’ bottles Moioli style…

What did the last season and the win of the third crystal globe mean to you? Can you rank which crystal globe win was the most important to you, or are they all equally important?

My third globe means a lot. I won it during one of the hardest times for me, my family and my country. 
During the last two races Covid-19 spread in my city and my whole family was hardly affected.
My grandfather was in the hospital while I was racing and in my hometown many people were sick and many of those died. In those days I raced for my country more than ever. I was proud to be Italian and to be there to represent Italy.

The other two globes had different meanings to me. My first in 2016 was a dream come true.
The second was the icing on the cake of an amazing season – in 2018, when I became an Olympic champion.

How did you handle the whole lockdown situation and the ongoing uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic after the season ended so abruptly?

I went home after the finals in Veysonnaz with my globe. I walked into my house and I stayed there for two months. No party, no celebrations. 
We tried to be safe at home, while my city, Bergamo, was totally affected by the virus. Many people have died. We spent weeks hearing just the sound of ambulances and bells, ringing for the death of someone. 
It was a really hard time, but I found the time to enjoy my home, the time spent with my boyfriend and my mum, who live with me. 
Step by step the situation became better, but we will have a deep scar in our hearts which will last forever.

What is your personal biggest learning that you took from the pandemic?

I learned that nothing is certain and that in the end, only a few things really matter. Family, love, and the moments you can share with someone you care about.

Going into a new season with World Championships in February, what are your main goals and focus points for the next season? Will another crystal globe be on the list of goals?

I still have many dreams for the next seasons ;)

Do you prefer seasons with a big event like World Championships or Olympic Winter Games, or do you prefer seasons where you can mainly focus on the World Cup? And why?

I really like the World Cup tour, because you always have to stay fit and competitive for the whole season. The globe is a gift for the one who has been the best for the entire season.

Olympics and World Champs are way more important but you also need a lot of good luck. Everything has to be perfect on that specific day: you, your body, your equipment, the weather, your head – all just on this particular day. It’s super hard and super challenging.

What is it that you love most about your sport?

I love being in the gate with other strong girls and I love to fight them and go fast. 
I love when the slopes are big, challenging and long. The stronger you are, the faster you can go!

We can’t wait to see Moioli back in the start gate mastering big and challenging SBX courses and showing us why snowboard cross is simply one of the most thrilling disciplines to watch.

The full calendar for the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup season 2020/21 can be found HERE.