Marc Girardelli may be familiar to most people as a ski racer. The native Austrian is considered one of the most successful winter 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 break a world record with an electric Fiat Cinquecento. Daniel Drescher spoke with him about this ambitious endeavor.
How did you get involved in the Scuderia-E project, what attracts you to electromobility?
I got into e-mobility through my friend Gianfranco Pizzuto. We have known each other for a long time, 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 earlier skiing career and thought it might be a great ride, so I decided to try it out. I am already intrigued by this record attempt.
Where does the particular challenge lie in the planned journey?
I believe that driving from Salzburg to Oslo in 24 hours is indeed a challenge. It's about 2000 kilometers or a bit more. One must plan very well with the charging stations, and you also don't know what the traffic will be like on this route. The logistics must be well planned. 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, so maybe I'll make a detour there.
If there are supposed to be enough charging stations along the way, nothing can be left to chance, right?
There is a computer installed in the car, similar to 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 critical point is whether the charging stations are available. There is a vehicle that will drive ahead. It will occupy the stations so that we can connect immediately and the charging time can proceed quickly. We must make the most of the 24 hours.
Isn't electric mobility too slow for someone like Marc Girardelli, is there a lack of the speed factor?
I don't need the speed factor anymore. For me, driving is less of a pleasure and more of an obligation to get from A to B. I'm not as much of a car enthusiast as many of my colleagues. I spend a lot of time in the car, I work for the company Bemer in Liechtenstein, which manufactures therapy systems and I have to give many presentations. Due to business reasons, I am on the road a lot. 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 a "rebel" is still in Marc Girardelli today?
I am still rebellious, maybe not with the same level of risk that I had before. I am naturally very curious, and the older I get, the more curious I become. That might be the reason 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 have to really put in the effort to get it done within a year. Let's see if it works out. Or I write ski-crime stories, my second crime novel has been on the market since December and is doing great. I am simply a free thinker, and I am interested in everything. That's why I might stand out from others who follow more conventional paths. I am always the one who climbs over a fence and enters a virgin meadow or a forest. I like to be surprised by new things and try to make the best of them. If something goes wrong, it's not that bad. But from many great things you try, some turn out well. That's even more beautiful.
A musical question: Do you have a soundtrack for the journey?
No, not really. I was just 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. I was at the Rolling Stones concert in Spielberg last autumn and recently at "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. These are things I enjoy listening to. Beyoncé is more about show than singing for me, and I think many people see it similarly.
