The Italian skier Flora Tabanelli won the bronze medal in the freestyle skiing Big Air event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games. This result comes after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, a process that the athlete described as a key moment in her career. She received a congratulatory call from Alberto Tomba and had constant support from her roommate, Federica Brignone.
Technology in sports injury rehabilitation ??
Recovery from an injury like Tabanelli's relies on technical advances. Motion analysis using high-speed cameras and inertial sensors allows quantifying the load and the movement. Force platforms and biomechanical simulation software help design tailored training plans. These systems provide objective data to guide the return to competition, minimizing risks and progressively optimizing performance.
The crossing between the ligament and the podium: instruction manual ??
It seems the formula is simple: first, you tear your cruciate ligament. Then, you spend months watching your teammates ski while you do exercises with elastic bands. The final step is that a legend like Tomba calls you on the phone to say brava. Maybe we should ask if the injury is an unwritten requirement to step onto the podium, or if it's simply a very drastic way to get breakfast brought to you in bed during training camp.