Tommaso Giacomel had a week of his biathlon career (so far) in Pokljuka, where he finished in the Flower ceremony after scoring sixth place in the Sprint and fifth in the Pursuit. The second place in the Mixed relay for Italy, and his contribution to success, brought him enough fans' votes to be Athlete of the week in Pokljuka. He went one better in the Individual in Ruhpolding, finishing fourth. In this conversation, Tommaso also explains why he calls Dorothea Wierer Mama, reveals his sporting idols, and which food he can prepare like a Chef. Oh, and football is not on his radar.

Only 11 athletes will be voted Athlete of the week in 2022/2023 and you are one of them. What does it mean to you?

I felt quite confident about my shape before the Pokljuka week. Finishing sixth in the Sprint boosted my confidence before the Pursuit. I was in the position to shoot for at least the podium place but unfortunately missed two shots. Being part of the Mixed relay that clinched second place felt super special. I feel honoured to be voted Athlete of the week after Pokljuka. Johannes dominated Sprint and Pursuit and deserved it as well. Perhaps my two Flower ceremony finishes and a podium in the Mixed relay impressed enough people.

In Pokljuka, you strung together three strong performances. Which moments would you count as breakthroughs this season?

Pokljuka happened to be a culmination (so far). But I feel I proved to myself and others that I was in robust shape already at the Season’s Opening in Kontiolahti. It was just that my shooting accuracy wasn’t on the same level. I achieved my first Flower ceremony spot in the Pursuit in Hochfilzen, and I feel I have been in the flow ever since. Let’s hope this flow will last until the end of March.

Do you have any routine before the competition starts?

I don’t think about the competition ahead as it is an energy-sapping process. I have no routine - like listening to my favourite song or going for a jog - before the start. I simply go about the preparation tasks. Approaching the shooting range, I want to focus on one and one thing only. Usually, this is the trigger on my rifle. I want to keep unnecessary pressure at bay.

Do you feel like the team leader with Lukas Hofer out with injuries?

Not really. We all feel equal in the men’s team. Our genuine leader is Dorothea Wierer. She brings so much energy and joy with her! Didier (Bionaz) and I still call her Mama. Why? Because she has been taking such good care of us since we started training together. When we go for MTB Downhill training in the summer, she always shouts after me: “Don’t go too fast! Don’t you crash!” And she means it.

What are your plans with the BMW IBU World Championships Oberhof 2023 approaching fast?

I try not to put too much pressure on myself. I want to be on the podium once by the end of the season. And I have learned this will not be an easy task. But more than anything, I want to focus on one competition at a time and enjoy the journey.

Let’s get a tad more personal: what would you do if you were not an athlete?

I was always to be an athlete. What did I like as a kid? Being in the kitchen, I enjoy cooking. I can prepare a very good cantucci. You can ask my girlfriend about that!

Who is your role model in sports in general and in biathlon?

I am a huge tennis fan, and my sport’s role model is Novak Djoković. In the biathlon, I would choose Martin Fourcade. I have such enormous respect for him.

Which is your favourite football club?

Believe it or not, football is not on my radar.what are