The race that Rocca has been waiting for all his life lasted just 38 seconds. In the slalom race that was so eagerly awaited by all Italians it seemed almost unbelievable that it was over just like that.
Rocca was the first to start the slalom race so immediately after his fall the race had to go on but both spectators, mostly Italians with Rocca banners, and the commentators could clearly not concetrate on anything else.
The one who seems to have reacted the best is Rocca himself. Upon seeing the journalists he said "You seem a bit down.. come on, no one died. Come over and I'll get you a pizza." As many have commented it seems that his psychologist has done miracles.
Rocca, at least externally, is over the incident and has his goals set on the World Title and the next race in Korea. He did not participate in the closing ceremony, because he is already travelling to Korea.
"My first thought", he said, "was the pain, because I fell badly. It's a shame I lost such an occasion, I was going really well, the conditions were ideal. Without that error we would have enjoyed ourselves, as the time before the fall shows. However in ski who falls has no way to continue the race, unlike other sports."
"It was my mistake." he admits. " I knew that at some point the consistency of the snow changed, I am at fault. I didn't even have the time to react. It's a pity. I remain with the consolation that my fifth position in alpine ski is actually the best Italian time ever. "
Rocca, may have managed to move on and is already looking to the next Olympics as he is 30 years old now. Italy, however, will take a bit longer to recover.
