Figini about Gut-Behrmai: “As a resident of Ticino, she has a particularly difficult time in the ski circus.”

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Michela Figini’s photo archive contains a very special gem: a photo of little Lara Gut, taken on the occasion of the awards ceremony for a children’s race in the Leventina. The explanation lies in Figini’s special relationship with the Gut family: “Lara’s uncle Franz was a trainer at my ski club Airolo, and I also know her father Pauli very well. I had regular contact with Lara when she was a child. She often trained in Prato with my two-year-old daughter Valentina. But since Lara traveled around the world with the ski circus, I no longer have contact with her,” says the 57-year-old.

Figini still speaks with admiration about the new overall World Cup winner. «I know from my own experience that the road from Ticino to the highest Alpine world is particularly difficult. It starts with the fact that our native language puts us at a disadvantage in this industry. Because hardly anyone in the ski circus speaks Italian, as a resident of Ticino you not only have to ski quickly, but also learn German, English and French very quickly. None of this was ever a problem for Lara, so I have a lot of respect for her.”

Figini has won more hearts than Gut-Behrami

But Gut-Behrami appears to have fewer fans in her home canton than Figini did in her sporting heyday. The fact is: when “Michi” was officially received in Prato after her Olympic victory, she was celebrated by more than 2,000 “Tifosi”. So far, significantly fewer people have been counted at the ball and medal celebrations organized for Gut-Behrami in Ticino.

Why is that? “Maybe it’s because Lara behaves much more professionally than I did at the time,” says Figini, giving an example: “In order to optimally concentrate on her sport, Lara largely isolates herself from the public. At that time I did not have a manager to coordinate my appointments. When someone from the region called me and wanted me to be present at the opening of their new store, I often said yes. Maybe that’s why more people celebrated with me.”

Source : Blick