The alpine from Gressoney wins for the first time the relay in Toblach with Nockler, Daprà and Pellegrino (Italia 1 ) beating Sweden and Norway 1.
Toblach, Italy – Feb. 06th 2023 • Dietmar Nockler, Francesco De Fabiani, Simone Daprà and Federico Pellegrino won the first 4x7.5 km World Cup relay of 2023, in Toblach, South Tyrol.
Italia 1 (Italia 2 was also at the start, Ed.) wowed: a fantastic Nockler at the kick off after a long absence in the World Cup in team relays, launched De Fabiani practically in the lead of the race. Defast did his job, giving the baton to the rookie Simone Daprà, able to resist first, lose and recover in the final. At that point Federico Pellegrino took on the role of the "bomber", closing not as a sprinter but as a finisseur and beating Sweden and Norway 1.
«The beginning of these 3 days hadn't been exactly the best, I rested on the day of the Sprint and then I struggled in the 10 km skating – says Francesco – I just couldn't ski on that type of snow which compared to the women's race had changed a lot, due to the change in temperature».
On the other hand, on Sunday 5 February, Italy performed the miracle and fulfilled the waiting that had lasted since January 2006, the last victory in the relay, again in Italy, in Val di Fiemme: «We certainly didn't expect to win, but certainly to be part of the game. The relay is always unpredictable and this is exactly what I love most about team events. Diddi (Nockler, Ed.) did an excellent job, I struggled and had to compete with Holund and above all Niskanen, but even if with many difficulties, I held up well and was fast even when I was poling. The rookie was Simone Daprà, in his "baptism of fire". It wasn't easy, he fought like a lion and I don't even know where he found the strength to get back on the 5 front in the final, very good! When I saw that Chicco would have started practically "on the heels" of the best, I told myself: this time he'll take care of it. And once again he amazed us and if you look at how he beat his opponents, you will understand that he is becoming more and more complete».
Now the World Championships in Slovenia: «I'm staying in Toblach for a few days and then I'm going to Slovenia, I don't know yet what races I'll do, certainly the team ones, obviously hoping to be selected and certainly the 50 km, for all the others I'll decide in the next days, for sure we go there with the right mood!».
At this point there are 3 podiums for De Fabiani in 2023, after Val di Fiemme and Livigno; 6 team podiums and 10 individual.
__________________________________
Press Office of Francesco De Fabiani
Written by Paolo Mei
Translated by Nicolò Caneparo
