"No Cure" - Infected Mosquito Started Goggia's Woes

The preparation for the upcoming Ski World Cup winter could hardly have gone worse for Sofia Goggia.

At the beginning of September, the 33-year-old Italian had to leave the training camp in Ushuaia, Argentina – exhaustion problems and malaise plagued the downhill racer.

Back home in Italy, it was finally determined: Goggia was battling two viral infections at once.

Infected Mosquito Started the Chain of Events

Speaking to "Sky Sport", Goggia now elaborates: "Based on blood tests, it was determined that I was first stung by an infected mosquito and contracted the Chikungunya virus."

But that wasn't all: "And then I also contracted Parvovirus B19, a very rare virus in adults, as it normally only affects young children, but causes all sorts of symptoms."

No Cure, Many After-Effects

Initially, her illness manifested with "particularly severe, intense, and unusual joint pain." "I couldn't climb stairs and felt unusually tired and exhausted."

Even today, she still feels quite weak. "There is no cure, I'm waiting for it to pass," the Italian cannot yet estimate how long her period of suffering will last.

She does, however, have some positive news: "I have definitely overcome the acute phase, I'm almost at the end now, but it leaves many after-effects."

Goggia Aims for Early Comeback

She will try to get fit again as quickly as possible. Her clear goal remains the fastest possible return to skis.

However, it does not seem particularly realistic that Goggia will be able to participate in the World Cup opener in Sölden (October 24).