Joaquim Salarich He achieved a feat that had not been achieved in men’s skiing since the days of Paquito Fernández Ochoa, finishing 7th in a World Cup slalom, specifically he achieved it this past weekend in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany). The ‘culprit’ of all this is his father, “a ski freak & rdquor ;, who died ten years ago and to whom he dedicates each and every one of his careers. His brother Xavier, also a skier and currently a coach, is his reference and Quim is convinced that he has taken a step forward, above all thanks to his mental work. These days he has exchanged the snow for the sea and rests for a few days in Premià de Dalt where he lives with his girlfriend.
Have you digested everything that has happened?
I’m still emotionally hungover. Hard to believe. I have always said that we are capable of a lot but I never would have imagined that with the number 49 and 50 these results would come.
So you knew you had your chances.
Yes, I knew I was capable of this, but there was the dorsal handicap, the pressure, not being used to starting in these positions, but I overcame all of them and got the best of me.
Mainly I have made a mental and emotional jump. I feel very good emotionally
What has changed to take this step forward?
Mainly I have made a mental and emotional jump. I feel very good emotionally. The psychologist (Javi Domínguez) is helping me manage my nerves and focus on the important things in the race. This added to the fact that this year we have made a specific planning to lose weight and optimize muscle mass have been the keys.
What do you work?
We work through states. Before a race I set myself a goal of the state I want before leaving, be it happiness, aggressiveness, sadness… I try to get to this state so that I can give 100% and achieve what I am capable of doing. There are routines, exercises, talking to myself very internally, seeing myself from the outside and saying things to myself…
What state did you look for before the heat where you finished fourth?
A state between confidence, joy and, without being aggressive, desire to eat the world, competitiveness. This is the state that I am using in almost every race and it is the one that is giving me results. I have a fairly calm head and I know the things I should do and the things I shouldn’t.
Before the second round I stood in a corner and said to myself: Quim, you’ve earned this and it’s your turn to enjoy it
What did you tell yourself?
After the first round, five numbers were missing and I was very nervous at the finish line. It was the first time I found myself in this situation. So I stood in a corner and said to myself: Quim, you’ve earned this and it’s your turn to enjoy it. You should not block yourself or think about things that do not touch. Just go out there, do what you know how to do and enjoy the moment.
How will the extra confidence that the result in Garmisch-Partenkirchen gives you translate into the future?
In that now I have more desire than ever to show that we can aspire to much. Seeing that what we did was correct, even though the results did not reflect it, makes you believe in what you are doing and helps you to move forward and continue doing great things in the future.
If you can manage the pressure, it is a good tool.
And more pressure.
It’s clear. But if you can manage the pressure, it is a good tool.
What does your brother tell you?
That he knew he could do it and he sees that I already know how to read how to ski well. Before I was fast but I skied like crazy and missed a lot but now I’m fast but also smart.
You dedicated the feat to your father.
Every race I do is dedicated to him because he was the mentor who introduced us to skiing. He was a fan of skiing, a geek and was well loved in this world. I receive many messages telling me that he would be proud of me and that is what fills me the most.
I used to be a very physical skier but now I have become quite an intelligent skier.
How would you define yourself as a skier?
I used to be a very physical skier but now I have become quite an intelligent skier. I have learned to read the races and now I don’t give myself 100% because it is very easy to fail. I’m smarter, more tactical.
Your immediate goals?
On the 5th we go to Austria to train for a couple of days and then I have the last test of the World Cup. The goal is to qualify for the finals where the best 25 go. Now I am very well positioned with a margin of 25 points, but in this sport you never know. If achieved, it would be a historic milestone.
“Quim has exceptional talent”
Christian Masdeutechnical director of the Molina Club d’Esports club, has seen the evolution of Quim whom he defines as “a very good and humble person”. He assures that “since he was a child he stood out for his talent and he has exceptional conditions for the slalom & rdquor ;. He assures that there have been boards of directors in the federations “that had no patience and decided to bet again on young people, losing a lot of talent. This time it has been done better, the federation has done very well by investing more and putting up with Quim and Juan del Campo and here are the results”. He is convinced that Quim “He has not said the last word. Get into another dynamic by fighting the best. It can give many surprises and I do not rule out a podium & rdquor ;.