Professor Stefano Tirelli, professor at Cattolica and for thirty years accustomed to working with great champions: “tenacity and determination are two of his strengths, the fundamental bases to participate in Milan-Cortina 2026”
Federica Brignone’s career is not over. Indeed, for the Italian champion, being the protagonist at the next Milan-Cortina winter Olympics is not a dream, but a goal that she will try to achieve in all ways thanks to her ‘Leonessa’ character. Professor Stefano Tirelli, university professor at the Cattolica of Milan and Mental Coach who has been working with athletes and teams of considerable international hunger for over thirty years, is positive in this regard: the blue skier can return to the track and great levels.
Tirelli, that of Brignone is an ordinary trauma or is it something … more?
“Undoubtedly the situation is particular: Brignone has never had major physical problems before today. On the one hand it is a positive thing, but on the other it may not be”.
“Our other great champion Sofia Goggia, unfortunately for her, is more used to living with challenges of this type, with pain, and has developed a considerable capacity for resilience. There are also other athletes who are used to pain and difficulties draw resources that they did not think they have. The shock after a wonderful period and with celebrations for the brignone can instead be an even more impacting event from an emotional point of view”.
Also because now it has been expected for months of recovery.
“Physical and mental recovery. Among the characteristics of the Brignone there is that of being a fighter and this plays in its favor because the nature is that of the champion who also wants to win this challenge. I am sure that he will make it. In addition to the fundamental rehabilitation and physiotherapy recovery, two essential elements after an injury, the complementary aid of mental training could also be useful. In short, all the others ‘under systems’ can be a further thrust towards complete recovery “.
How important is the character nature in a rehabilitation process?
“It is decisive. Two of the strengths of Brignone are tenacity and grit. The same as the Goggia. These are the fundamental basis to achieve success and create … the company”.
Are you referring to participation in the next Olympics in Milan Cortina?
“That of being there at the Olympics must be the challenge par excellence that can lead to expressing the best of one’s resilient skills. Participation in Milan-Cortina ’26 must not be the end, but it can represent the means through which to bring out all its resources for a more general recovery”.
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