ADELIA MARRA

Q&A with Adelia

You are one of the only athletes to have won the shortest and longest race at Worlds. Can you explain how you were able to accomplish this feat?

I have always defined myself as a fast distance-skater with an outstanding reaction off the start. Then, good tactics took full advantage of the wake to enjoy a good sprint even in distance races! I was not too fond of point races; I suffered too much, even if sometimes I was “forced” to do them. 🙂

You and Davide are from the same region. Can you tell us when and how you met?

Davide and I were on the same team. Part of my results was due to Davide pulling me and helping me train harder! Davide was a strong skater and helped me push my limits even further! Then, he was a serious, focused, determined, and charismatic athlete, and he conveyed all these characteristics to the whole team…we could not have had a better sparring partner!

At the end of the ’90s and the beginning of the 2000s, you were a crack, while Davide began the success story of Mariani Skates. Do you remember how your collaboration began?

I’ve always had an excellent relationship with Davide, even at work. From the day he started making boots, I would only wear his until the end of my career. I can tell you that the day before an Italian marathon championship, Davide delivered me a pair of custom boots, and without even trying them once, I went straight to the race and clinched the victory.

Another anecdote: I remember a pair of boots that fitted me so well that I didn’t even have to tighten my laces; I would tight the ratchet!
Now that I coach a competitive team, the bond remained unchanged, always tight and collaborative.

20 years on, your friendly relationship has lasted and gone beyond the usual sports partnership. Can you explain why?

I believe that there is always great mutual respect, fairness, and professionalism….plus, of course, the values of friendship.