News

Interview with Stephanie Santer (ITA), the overall FIS MC winner 2011-12

WL: Once again congratulations to your victory in the overall FIS Marathon Cup 2011/12!!! 
This was your first season with the long distance skiers and straight away you won the overall! Did that surprise you? And how hard was it to achieve this victory?

SS: THANK YOU! Last winter was one of the most wonderful ones in my long career as a cross country skier, even though it was surely one of the hardest and most exhausting ones. I could ski without any pressure throughout the season and I had a lot of fun at each race. Additionally I had the support of my now husband Florian Kostner. He skied the same races and so we could travel together around the world. A special thanks goes to my waxing guys!! Without their perfectly prepared Fischer skis, I wouldn’t have been able to fight for the overall victory! That I could win the overall FIS Marathon Cup was indeed a very big surprise for me, even though I had always known that I am kind of “made” for long distance races. Endurance and stamina are both my qualities. I can now say that the years of training have now finally paid off!

WL: What does this victory in the overall FIS Marathon Cup means to you in general and the FIS Marathon Cup especially? What kind of significance does the FIS Marathon Cup has for you?

SS: This victory means a lot to me. It lets me forget all the blows of fate and the steps back of the last years. I have never stopped believing in me and this victory shows that I was right. I am now really looking forward to next winter! 😉 To the FIS Marathon Cup in general: I think that a lot of people are still subordinate the FIS Marathon Cup to the FIS World Cup. However, this is not completely correct since the long distance races are not for everyone. Who might be good in the traditional World Cup, does not have any guarantee to succeed also in the FIS Marathon Cup – an vice versa! You can almost say that these are two different disciplines! However, what is for sure, is, that the level of the FIS Marathon Cup, has improved enormously – both on the men’s as well as on the women’s side.

WL: You started last year for the national long distance team of Italy. Next season you will race for the Skinfit Racing Team, which also counts Martin Koukal, Martin Bajcicak and Stanislav Rezac, one of the best long distance skiers, to its members. How did this team change come about and how big is the adjustment?

SS: Yes, that’s correct, my new team is the Skinfit Racing Team. It manager, Marc Hager, contacted my at the end of April and asked me if I would like to race for his team next winter. After quite some consideration and thinking, I decided to take this step and use this great opportunity, even though it was not easy for me to leave the Italian team behind.

However, this change of the team means a new challenge for me but provides me with perfect training conditions and great support. We are a strong team and can exchange our experiences in order to become even better.

WL: Additionally to your team change, did you also change your material? If yes, why?

SS: No, I just changed last year to Fischer and I am absolutely satisfied with them.

WL: You married your long-time boyfriend Florian Kostner in May this year. How important for success in sport is a stable relationship in the background?

SS: Yes, it’s pretty important. Florian and I have a lot in common. We both love the sport and support each other. I think the whole environment around you needs to be right in order for you to be able to show high level performances. Let’s see if our wedding will give me wings next winter! 😉

WL: Until now, you have been in the same team, have done the same training camps. He is still starting for the national long distance team of Italy, but you changed to the Skinfit racing Team – a change for you both?

SS: I hope not, since we will compete in the same race. We will still see each other a lot even though we are in different teams.

WL: Ole Einar Björndalen belonged to your family for several years – did you go training together sometimes? And if yes, what kind of tips did you get from him?

SS: Yes, we do train together sometimes, when he is not on a training camp. He gives me good tips and ideas and is always very helpful and a big role model.

WL: You took part in the Topidrettsveka in Aure / Kristiansund with your new team. What kind of experience was this for you?

SS: It was great, even though I still had a bit of lack of training due to the wedding preparations. However, it was a very good training for me. I especially enjoyed the mountain bike race through the marsh ;-)!

WL: Winter is coming close, so what are your main goals for this upcoming season? SS: Because I didn’t do the Vasaloppet last year, I would love to do it this year to gain this experience. I want to look forward to every race like I did last year. Staying cool and having fun is the most important thing, then, the results will come by themselves. 

WL: Thank you very much for your time! Worldloppet wishes you all the best for the coming season!