Alberto Tomba, interview with the Italian skiing champion ahead of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics

From five Olympic podiums to his relationship with the mountains, Alberto Tomba looks back on a career that made sporting history.

When you meet him he welcomes you with that smile you’ve known your whole life: open, direct, as generous as his lines on the slopes. Alberto Tomba has returned to share his story in a new book – Lo slalom più lungo, Sperling & Kupfer – and this chat in Cortina – including memories, emotions and a touch of sweet nostalgia – starts right there: with a champion who never stopped staying ‘on track’ in the hearts of people. After all, years pass, trends come and go, but when Tomba moves, a crowd always forms around him, stopping him even from walking. That’s the effect of someone who changed the sport, and did so with heart, talent and a unique smile. Because in the end, let’s face it: Tomba is Tomba. And he always will be.

Your Olympic experiences have become legendary. What is it like, from the inside, to navigate a career journey that leads to five medals?

Winning five Olympic medals is the greatest reward there is. I remember everything about my runs, every single detail. Calgary 1988 was my first Olympics: I was young, determined and I still call them ‘the carefree Olympics.’ And that’s when the magic happened: two gold medals, Giant Slalom and Slalom. They even interrupted the Sanremo Festival to broadcast my race! That double win was the beginning of everything. Then Albertville 1992 followed: the honor of being the flag bearer, another gold medal in Giant Slalom, and silver in Slalom. Finally Lillehammer 1994, with the silver medal in Slalom. These are the fondest memories of my career: moments that can never be erased.

Is there a moment in your career that still moves you today?

Many. I remember my first Cup victory, the adrenaline that keeps you awake. And I remember the last one: the fiftieth, in March 1998 in Crans-Montana. That was the closing of the circle, a farewell as a champion. Then the World Championships: the bronze medal in 1987 in Crans-Montana, the two gold medals in Sierra Nevada in 1996, the bronze medals in Sestriere in 1997. And the World Cup won in Bormio in 1995... that is not a single result: it is the sum of all the victories, the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, the grueling training sessions. It’s something that stays with you forever. And then there’s my unforgettable 3-Tre: a night race, an electric atmosphere, the Canalone Miramonti slope lit up and thousands of fans just a few centimeters away.

What is your relationship with Cortina?

A very strong bond, even today. My father bought a house here, and Cortina was my training ground: this is where I trained with my great coach Roberto Siorpaes. I have wonderful memories tied to these mountains. Going back is always a bit like coming home.

And what about Milan? What kind of city is it for you?

To be honest, I don’t know it very well. My relationship with Milan has always been linked to the journey from the Central Train Station to the FISI headquarters. But it was right there that everything really began: on the Montagnetta of San Siro. On December 23, 1984, I won the Christmas Parallel, a race that was a turning point for me. I beat all the big names of Team A. I remember that the next day the newspapers didn’t put my last name in the headline… maybe it was ‘inconvenient,’ who knows! But then they realized that they could no longer escape that name.

What kind of relationship do you have with the mountains today? Do you still ski?

The mountains are still life for me. I often go to competitions, both men’s and women’s, and I always support the team with messages of encouragement. Today I enjoy going up with skins: two hours to climb and two minutes to descend. It’s a different way of experiencing the mountains, but it gives me incredible freedom.

If a director turned your career into a movie, which actor should play you?

But Sean Connery, of course! Who better than him to play 007... on the snow?

What makes you feel still ‘in the game’?

People’s affection, without a doubt. Many years have passed since my last race in March 1998 in Crans-Montana. And yet, the affection has remained the same, perhaps it has even increased. When people stop me on the street, when they smile at me, when they ask me for a photo… that immediately gets me ‘back in the game.’ It’s the greatest confirmation of all: knowing that what you have done has left a mark.