Daniela Ceccarelli outspoken about Sofia Goggia, Federica Brignone and Marta Bassino

Daniela Ceccarelli convinced of the means of Sofia Goggia, Federica Brignone and Marta Bassino

She calls them “three musketeers” and is betting heavily on them for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. Daniela Ceccarelli, a former skier and Olympic gold medalist in Super-G (she won in Salt Lake City in 2002), spoke in absolutely flattering terms about Sofia Goggia, Federica Brignone and Marta Bassino on the sidelines of the “Il Foglio a San Siro” event held Thursday at Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.

“The Italian women’s team can boast three great athletes,” Ceccarelli explained. “Sofia Goggia won another Specialty Cup, Federica Brignone is confirmed year after year at a very high level, and Marta Bassino, despite a somewhat complex season, finished on a high note, appearing very well at the finals in Andorra. They are really carrying the Italian flag high in Alpine skiing.”

Inevitable to talk about the rivalry between Goggia and Brignone: “Surely it is felt a lot in the important events – said the Olympic athlete – while CdM each has her own goal. At the World Championships in Courchevel, Bassino and Brignone went to medal while Goggia also suffered because she was shaken by the passing of Elena Fanchini. The fact that she missed the medal, however, does not detract from an almost perfect season.”

On Sofia Goggia’s ambitions, related perhaps to the race for the overall World Cup, Daniela Ceccarelli added: “She has deflected a little bit from the giant slalom, she lacks a little bit that reactivity that is needed in the more technical disciplines. However, this is a choice, because she has focused everything on courage and power to prevail in the fast ones, winning the Downhill Cup for these characteristics as well. Winning the overall CdM like this is difficult but I repeat, the results she has achieved so far are exciting.”

Speaking about the Olympic Games, Ceccarelli finally said, “I look a little bit at the statements, I believe that both Goggia and Brignone will be there: the important thing will be to avoid injuries, especially for mature athletes like them. Otherwise I think that the two of them, together with Marta Bassino, will be able to represent us in the best way at Milan-Cortina 2026.”