Nineteen year old Daniel Grassl brought Italy back to the top ten nations in the world in men’s figure skating: “My first Olympics was a dream. Now I’m aiming for Cortina 2026”
Seventh place at the Beijing Winter Olympics in men’s figure skating. First of the Europeans in the final standings. At just 19 years old. Making its debut in the five-circle event. Daniel Grassl showed all his talent to the world on a special occasion. And now the tiger’s eyes are already on Cortina 2026. Bronze at the junior world championships, four consecutive golds at the Italian championships and, above all, the recently won European silver were the basis on which to build a historic performance for skating tricolor: after 70 years, in fact, Italy has returned to have one of its athletes among the top ten (the last was the Milanese Carlo Fassi at the Helsinki Games in 1952): “I said that, during this experience, I would have liked enjoying every moment, savoring all aspects of my first Olympics. So it was, always putting concentration, training and preparation in view of the races in the first place ”.
What is the podium of your personal memories?
“In no particular order I would say the arrival in Beijing, at the Olympic village: seeing all the buildings with the flag of each nation and knowing that I am part of such a large international event, immediately gave me great stimuli”.
“The Olympic atmosphere: wherever I looked, I saw the five circles. Even in the water. And every time I admired them, I felt within me the satisfaction of having achieved a personal goal “.
“The feeling I got at the end of the“ free ”. I was satisfied because I knew I had done one of the best tests of my career. Seeing my name at the top of the standings for a long time, being in the garage alongside one of the myths of my sport, Nathan Chen: these are emotions that are not easily forgotten ”.
What was your typical day in Beijing?
“I did two workouts a day. After breakfast I moved to the ice shovel where I stayed most of the day. I liked the idea of experiencing the Olympic atmosphere at 360 degrees: I watched the preparations of the other athletes, I studied the track where I was supposed to perform, I cheered for our compatriots in the speed races, in the short track and in the competitions that I could see live”.
What else has fascinated you?
“Once my sporting commitments were over, I went to see the games room in the Olympic village. Simply mind blowing. I have never seen anything so technologically advanced. I tried some 4D simulators: it felt like being in the real world ”.
Returning to sport, how was your approach to the Olympics?
“It has been a continuous work to try to improve all aspects of my performance. Above all from an artistic point of view: I had set myself this goal at the beginning of the year. In the past I have always been considered a skilled jumper. That’s why I used all the time available to me, even at home, to grow choreographically “.
How was the work developed from this point of view?
“The choreographer Benôit Richaud proposed me some music. Together we chose those that could have the greatest impact, also involving the public. Then it is the skater who puts his personality into the creation of the story and the movements on the skates “.
“With coach Lorenzo Magri we work a lot on the track. I repeat the quadruple jumps many times. I don’t do too much activity in the gym to gain muscle mass: it would be counterproductive because it would affect stability and balance. Besides, excessive weight would not help the ability to turn quickly on oneself “.
Are you supported by a mental coach?
“I entrusted myself to Monika Niederstätter: she is a former athlete, now an excellent professional in this sector. I have to admit that I always felt a lot of pressure before every race. Now, thanks also to the path I have taken, I enter the track more relaxed. Work on breathing. And then I have some superstitious rituals that I particularly care about “.
This is nourishment for the head. For the body instead?
“Mom Hildegard takes care of it. It is she who best manages the food aspect, both in terms of timing and typology. I, in particular, like to eat lots of fruit and I love nuts “.
Do you enjoy playing other sports?
“When I was little I tried swimming, football, ice hockey and tennis. Every now and then I still manage to hold the racket, challenging dad Walter or Sarah, my sister ”.
And non-sporting passions?
“I am attracted to the cinematic environment. In my free time I like to watch movies. After the competitive activity I would like to become a coach but I would not even disdain being able to enter the world of cinema. As a child I enjoyed acting in school. Now I would see myself more as a director, perhaps a feature film about skating ”He concludes with a laugh. (photo credits: Diego Barbieri / FISG).
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