Marc Girardelli is probably known to most people as a ski racer. The native Austrian is considered one of the most successful winter sports athletes of all time, having won the overall World Cup title about five times. Now, the 54-year-old will be one of several drivers behind the wheel in an attempt to set a world record with an electric Fiat Cinquecento. Daniel Drescher spoke with him about this ambitious project.
How did you get involved in the Scuderia-E project, and what attracts you to electromobility?
I got into e-mobility through my friend Gianfranco Pizzuto. We have known each other for a while, and he has always been enthusiastic about e-mobility. Gianfranco explained the project to me and how the Fiat Cinquecento was to be converted into an electric car. I really like the Cinquecento model anyway. I thought, maybe this is something new. I have been to Oslo several times during my skiing career, and I thought it might be a great drive, so I decided to try it out. I am already excited about this record attempt.What is the particular challenge of the planned journey?
I believe that driving from Salzburg to Oslo in 24 hours is a challenge. It's about 2000 kilometers or a bit more. You have to plan very well with the charging stations, and you also don't know what the traffic will be like on that route. It needs to be well planned logistically. I have full confidence in Gianfranco. I also really like the drive through Germany. I used to live in the Ruhr area, and I was active at the Bottrop ski hall 20 years ago. Maybe I'll make a detour there.To ensure there are enough charging stations along the way, nothing can be left to chance, right?
There is a computer installed in the car, similar to a Tesla. The computer receives information about the next charging station and how long the charging time will be, so you can plan the journey 100% on the go. This is all state-of-the-art technology in the Cinquecento. There are enough charging stations in Germany. The challenge is more about whether the stations are available. There is a vehicle driving ahead that will occupy the stations so that we can connect immediately and the charging time goes smoothly. We need to make the most of the 24 hours.Isn't Marc Girardelli finding electromobility too slow, isn't the speed factor missing?
I don't need the speed factor anymore. For me, driving is less about enjoyment and more about getting from A to B. I am not as much of a car enthusiast as many of my colleagues. I spend a lot of time in the car because I work for the company Bemer in Liechtenstein, which produces therapy systems, and I have to give many lectures. Due to business reasons, I am often on the road. That's why I don't want to spend my free time in the car. I prefer to ride a bike, run, or hike – but please, no driving in my free time. Maybe the fun of driving will come back when the vehicle is battery-powered.During your active days, you were known as a free thinker, a rebel. How much of that "rebel" is still in Marc Girardelli today?
I am still rebellious, maybe not with the same level of risk I had before. I am naturally very curious, and the older I get, the more curious I become. That may be why I am participating in this record attempt. I always try out new things. Currently, I am in Russia learning the language because I have Russian clients. Unfortunately, I have also found that Russian is not as easy as Italian or French in earlier years. I really have to put in the effort to get it done within a year. Let's see if that works. Or I write ski-crime stories - my second novel has been on sale since December and is doing great. I am just a free thinker, and I am interested in everything. That's why I may stand out from others who follow well-trodden paths. I am always the one who climbs over a fence and enters a virgin meadow or forest. I like to be surprised by new things and try to make the best of them. If something goes wrong, it's not so bad. But out of many great things you try, a few turn out well. That's even more beautiful.A musical question: Do you have a soundtrack for the journey?
No, not really. I was recently at a beautiful classical concert in St. Petersburg, with 10,000 people at the Hermitage Castle Square. It was a fantastic experience with the best opera singers from around the world, like Roberto Alagna from France. Besides classical music, I am also interested in rock. Last fall, I saw the Rolling Stones in Spielberg and recently "The Wall" in Zurich. My favorite bands are Pink Floyd and Dire Straits, in that direction. I don't necessarily need Beyoncé, but Madonna or ABBA would also be on the soundtrack. Those are things I like to listen to. For me, Beyoncé is more about appearance than singing, and I think many people see it similarly.
