The return of the prodigal son

The return of the prodigal son 20/06/2014 14:39

Paolo Bernardi and Sarah Hendrickson less than two years ago in Val di Fiemme, photo source unknown.

We had left him the past winter season at the Sky commentary box along with Massimiliano Ambesito for the ski jumping and Nordic Combined for the Winter Games in Sochi, now he is back to Italy for different reasons. As already mentioned briefly not too long ago, Paul Bernardi is the new coach of the ski jumping men national team. Paolo, from Predazzo (TN), takes the place of Jakub Jiroutek - back to his home country in Czech Republic - as the head coach of the Azzurri.

Skijumpingitaly asked him some questions to our new national coach. Skijumpingitaly: First of all, welcome back Paolo in the Italian national team, Italian national team, how does it feels to hear those three words put it together?

Paolo Bernardi: It's definitely a nice effect, after six successful years abroad, I see myself very well again with the word Italy on the uniform.

SJI: We left you last February at the commentary on the Olympics for Sky with Massimiliano Ambesi, and Pietro Nicolodi, and now you've made this more than welcome surprise.

PB: The experience as commentator was great, I had the good fortune of working with two wonderful professionals, Nicolodi which loves sport at 360 degrees and Ambesi an absolute totem as regards the Nordic disciplines, definitely i will not forget those days, even if i'm more a race man camp, rather than being in a tight cabin in the commentary box.

SJI: You've been away from the Italy’s ski jumping for a few years, but also outside Italy you've took your own professional satisfactions. What did you taken back with you in Italy from your experience in the United States, as the new coach for the Azzurri?

PB: So many things, I had the good fortune to be working with an absolute level of talents, from champions of that caliber, “you" always learn so much, also I could definitely see if my technical ideas could have been useful. I came back enriched by this experience, knowing that you never stop learning and also gratified by the fact that i felt useful.

SJI: When you came back from America, was all of this (becoming the new head coach for Italy) already in your mind, or is better to say, been approached to become the new coach of our national team, or is happened all of the sudden?

PB: Let's say that there was a long period -two years of mutual contacts-, after having elaborated the reasons for my departure from America I began to evaluate where I saw myself better for the continuation of my career, the choice was ended with Italy. I realized it was definitely the right time to get back into the game and I realized that the time was ripe for me to express myself better.

SJI: Have you already thought about how to set up the work, which from here will bring you guys to the new winter season? On what basis will you work the most?

(* Editor's note the interview took place before the start of summer training)

PB: In my career I have developed a personal evaluation of the project from which the first two months of work will tell whether the path, and 'the right one, though conscious of not being a magician i am extremely positive, I think with the corrective techniques and developing of an healthy team environment and professional ,the guys will give their best of their potential.

SJI: How did you find the boys, both mental and physically? The past season was not one of the best, - especially for Morassi and Colloredo- for our athletes, although it must be said, that we have seen a growth in Roberto Dellasega which he seemed to be much more sure of himself and of his jumps, without forgetting the excellent start to the season by Davide Bresadola. Even the youngsters, like Federico Cecon, Daniel Varesco Zeno and Leonardo have impressed in a positive way.

PB: I found them very well, everyone was ready and responsive, and definitely Colloredo and Morassi have had a subdued season, but they have the right spirit to get back to their levels, and Bresadola, Dellasega Roberto in particular have had good peaks and with them the main goal is the constancy, the youngsters have impressed me positively and are ready to grow up and enter to higher levels, i also count on the fully recovery of Dellasega Diego.

SJI: The work for the World Cup team and the B-Team will be diversified all around or will it be the same type of workout for everyone?

PB: For almost all the preparation work will proceed hand in hand, but from August there will be differences because of the SGP and CoC, that until November, and then we will work together again.

SJI: You will keep an eye also to the women or you will only take care of the men team?

PB: The female sector is in good hands and I think Julienne will continue the good work of the past seasons, i will definitely watch with interest how they behave, also because the mixed team is definitely an important race for us.

SJI: Last question, is there anything that you hope for this season in particular?

PB: I just want to be able to work calmly, of course hope to obtain significant results, but as a team the goal is also to have a wider range also to increase the quotas in the World Cup.

Many thanks to Paolo Bernardi who has granted us a bit of his time during this new beginning with the Italian ski jumping men national team. Interview by Consuelo Conte [@KokkaMufc]