Guest
In this interview, Italy's Matteo Rizzo reflects on his most successful season of his career so far: Bronze medalist at 2022 Skate Canada, Italian Champion and silver medalist at the 2023 European Figure Skating Championships. The skater capped off his season with a strong finish at the 2023 World Team Trophy where he scored a new Personal Best in the Free Skate where he landed three clean quads. Rizzo was especially pleased with the second half of his last season after a turning point in December and talks about what the silver medal at the European Championships meant for him. We reflect on his long senior career that took him already to two Olympic Games, as well as five World and European Championships. Rizzo shares his most precious memories and as well as his advice for young and upcoming skaters. Rizzo explains the importance of his large team and talks about feeling “at home“ with his long-time coach Franca Bianconi. He also talks about his relationship with his father, Valter, and how he has come to appreciate his father more and more as a coach over the years. At 2023 World Team Trophy, the skater was accompanied by two-time World Champion Miki Ando and he explains her special role in his life. Rizzo has prepared two new programs for the 2023-24 season. The short program to “Derniére Danse,“ choreographed by Massimo Scali, and the free skate to “Fix You“ by Coldplay, choreographed by his long-time friend Luca Lanotte. He explains why both programs are already very special and dear to him and why he chose them. Rizzo has competed at the last two Olympics (2018 and 2022) and looking forward to the upcoming Olympic Games on home ice in Milan 2026. He talks about how his focus will be directed on the training leading up this event after which he plans to end his long career. Apart from skating, Rizzo is simply “enjoying life“ and talks about his hobbies and interests off the ice. The passionate hobby-cook also reveals which typical Italian dish is his specialty. Rizzo plans on opening his 2023-24 season at his home event: the Challenger Series Lombardia Trophy 2023.
