Beyond Limits: The Freeride Mindset

Ride hard. Fly free.

We asked Gabriele Della Giorgia a few questions — and the conversation went far beyond freeride skiing as a sport. It was about the lifestyle behind it: freedom, adrenaline, and the constant search for new limits. In this interview, he shares insights into how it all started, what drives him, and what it really takes to hold your own in the backcountry.

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Gabriele Della Giorgia, 24, from Corvara in Alta Badia. Home? Not the gym, not the office — outdoors. Deep powder, untouched lines, no groomed slopes. Freeride skiing is more than a sport; it’s a lifestyle.

 Train hard. Know your terrain. Respect nature — it always wins.

How It All Started

No joke: it all began with a single ski hanging from the ceiling in a shop. One moment, one glance — boom. From then on, it was clear: this is it. What started as curiosity quickly turned into an addiction to adrenaline, freedom, and the one thing you can’t fake: real nature.

Proudest Moment

There’s no single “big win.” Every run, every decision in the backcountry matters. But if he had to sum it up: constantly pushing beyond his own limits and standing exactly where he is today.

Motivation

To show that there’s always more possible than you think. Limits aren’t stop signs — they’re invitations. With enough drive and passion, you can push anything further, and that’s exactly the message Gabriele wants to share.

If Not Freeride?

Paragliding. Same vibe, different level. Even more freedom, even more adrenaline. Floating above the mountains instead of charging down them — why not both?

Advice for Beginners

Train hard. Know your terrain. Respect nature — it always wins. Determination matters, but teamwork is everything out there. And no matter how seriously you take it, never forget why you started in the first place: because it’s fun.

Move. Ride. Repeat. - Never standing still.

Road, speed, and determination.

From Hockey Skates to Cycling Shoes

Christian Schmitt began his athletic career at the age of ten in ice hockey. He progressed through all youth categories of the Eishockey Union Feldkirch and, at the age of 18, made the step into training with the first team. He later also played for Eishockey Club Supergau Feldkirch at the senior level. One of the highlights of this period was winning the Austrian championship in the 2nd league — a success he still looks back on today with great gratitude.

After this successful phase, Christian Schmitt played one more year for EHC Montafon and two additional years for EHC Bregenzerwald, both in the 2nd Austrian Bundesliga. Due to professional and personal commitments, he eventually decided to end his active ice hockey career.

Since cycling had always been a great passion, Christian Schmitt quickly found a new athletic challenge in the sport. His first participation in the Dreiländergiro in Nauders marked a turning point. His enthusiasm for the race was so strong that he began training more systematically and dedicating himself seriously to cycling. Today he competes with great enthusiasm in a wide variety of cycling events — from individual time trials and cycling marathons to MTB hill climbs and gravel races.

"Cycling is about listening to your body, embracing the joy of the ride, and soaking in the beauty of nature in all its forms."

Successes, Setbacks, and the Joy of Riding

What particularly fascinates Christian Schmitt about cycling is the ability to cover great distances in a short time while experiencing the diversity of nature. At the same time, the sport is extremely complex: fitness, tactics, equipment, and many other factors play a decisive role. This versatility is exactly what makes cycling so exciting for him.

The year 2019 was especially outstanding for Christian Schmitt — his absolute dream season. During that year he achieved several of his biggest sporting goals, including victories at the Glocknerkönig, the Dreiländergiro, the Halltalexpress, and the Pfänder race.

Another, even more significant chapter began in 2022. Since undergoing a spinal fusion involving several vertebrae, every training session and every race has been a bonus for him. Precisely for this reason, he values every moment on the bike even more and enjoys every ride in a special way.

In preparing for competitions, Christian Schmitt relies less on fixed rituals and more on adaptability. Depending on the race and the goal, he structures his training to be as well prepared as possible and always tries to make the best of every situation.

One of the most memorable experiences of his cycling career was his solo finish at the Dreiländergiro in Nauders. The final kilometers from the Reschen Pass to the finish were marked by the certainty of having achieved a major goal — a moment that remains vivid in his memory to this day.

If Christian Schmitt could pursue another sport, it would be Formula 1. The fascination with perfection, strategy, setup, and the constant pursuit of optimization represents a clear parallel to cycling in his eyes.

His advice to newcomers in cycling is simple: For those new to cycling, his advice is simple: listen to your body, ride as much as feels right, and never forget to enjoy the ride. After all, few other sports offer the opportunity to experience nature as intensely and diversely.

With Heart and Huskies

The Huskies' Magic

The beginnings of sled dog sport

Sabrina Cantu grew up in a family where huskies were always a part of life. Her mother has kept these impressive dogs for over 40 years, so Sabrina was very familiar with the breed from an early age. At the age of 11, she began bikejoring—a combination of mountain biking and dog pulling—as a hobby. She took her first steps with an experienced dog who showed her how it's done. The pivotal moment came when she got her first husky puppy in 12th grade—from that point on, it was clear to her that she wanted to gain a foothold in the world of sled dog sports after graduating from high school.

Today, Sabrina owns six Siberian Huskies and competes in various sled dog sports. Whether it's dryland racing like bikejoring, scootering, and carting, or snow events like skijoring or sledding , her dogs are highly trained and ready to assist her!

Proudest moments on the racetrack

Sabrina has already celebrated numerous successes in her career. These include three German Bikejoring Championship titles and four German Vice-Championship titles. Her incredible achievements are further underlined by two Vice-European Championship titles in Scooter 1 Dog and top-five finishes at the World Championships in the single-class Scooter 1 Dog discipline. These successes are not only milestones in her career, but also a reward for her hard work and dedication.

Mental preparation: The key to success

For Sabrina, mental preparation for competitions is one of the most important elements of her success. The day before a race, she walks the track to familiarize herself with every curve and surface condition. Safety is her top priority, especially when traveling at speeds over 30 km/h. On race day, she thoroughly checks her equipment before focusing.

Driven by health: goals for the future

Sabrina is committed to a long-term vision: health for herself and her dogs. Through several falls and the experiences of recent years, especially after the liver rupture in the 2023/24 season, she has realized that prevention is her top priority. She's aiming for top placings in the coming season, while always giving her best and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

A look beyond sport

Outside of dog sledding, Sabrina enjoys numerous hobbies, including nature photography, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, and skiing. She enjoys spending time with her dogs and has made it a tradition to make homemade dog cakes for their birthdays.

If Sabrina could compete in any other sport, it would be skiing—a passion she has pursued since childhood. Skijoring with her huskies combines her love of skiing with her enthusiasm for the dogs.

Sabrina's advice for aspiring athletes

"Be patient with yourself and your dogs," Sabrina advises beginners in sled dog racing. "They are not machines, but living beings with their own feelings. Trust is crucial, and the relationship with your dog is the key to success in this sport."