Cortina d'Ampezzo (Belluno), Feb 9 (LaPresse) – "Dear Cortina, I don’t know if yesterday I was really the favorite to win gold. Maybe I was, based on an impressive statistic in your downhill where, since 2017, in every race I finished I’ve always reached the podium, standing on the top step four times; however, I certainly wasn’t the favorite given the course of the season in this discipline. Yesterday you put me to the test with many variables that occurred during the race, variables that I and we managed excellently, staying strong mentally. Despite a performance with many flaws – but always giving it my all – you gave me a beautiful bronze medal, the third consecutive in downhill in three consecutive Olympic editions, which is priceless." Sofia Goggia writes this in an open letter addressed to Cortina and to Elena Fanchini, who passed away in February 2023, published on her Instagram profile the day after winning the Olympic bronze in the downhill at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. "It wasn’t a given considering how the situation had unfolded, yet you still wanted to reward me… I am grateful – added the Bergamo native – February 8, since 2023, is a special day, and February 8, 2026, is a day I will never forget, and I firmly believe that in this medal there was also the touch of a teammate who passed away three years ago, a teammate who still lives in our hearts. Thanks to all the people who helped me manage the situation yesterday, thank you, dear Cortina, but also thank you, Elly: you are always with us, in us."