Foto: © Alpha Foto

A new star has appeared in the Swiss long-distance racing and trail running firmament. Oria Liaci, 23, from Martigny, has been stealing the limelight since the end of the COVID pandemic. She was the eighth and therefore the best Swiss female contestant at Sierre-Zinal, fourth and second best Swiss female contestant at Morat-Fribourg and also eighth in the annual ranking in the Golden Trail Series.

For the last two years your performance has become stronger and stronger and you are going from success to success. In your opinion, what is the key to your success?

The key to my success in my opinion is regular training and enjoying every moment of it. I think that when you enjoy your work that gives you the basis to perform well.

You are equally successful in short races, such as the Corrida Bulloise, as in the long-distance challenges, such as Sierre-Zinal. Can you give us an idea of how you train?

It is difficult to put a figure on hours of training, because this varies greatly from period to period - it depends on whether or not it is a competition period and whether I am preparing for the road or trail discipline.

I would say that when I am preparing for trails I do long runs, which means I spend longer out running. On road I have the luck to be part of a training group with marvellous team-mates and a coach, who supervises the sessions. In addition, I also cycle and swim. I do not run every day, but on the other hand I swim or cycle. Normally I have two daily sessions plus one or two reinforcement sessions per week, some specific work and of course, recuperation (massage, etc.).

For a long time you were involved in a variety of sports. For example, you have also been successful in the triathlon. What are your plans and objectives for next season?

It is true that I did one season of triathlon before realising that my real talent lies in racing. Of course, I like all the disciplines, but the one that really gives me the greatest buzz is racing. Next season I will continue to concentrate on racing with my sights set on trail and road racing (the Golden Trail Series and European and world championships).

What type of training do you find most helpful? Can you describe it for us?

I think that I react well to sessions, in which peaks of increase in speed are introduced. This allows me to respond to challenges and attacks during a race.

Do you have any secret advice to give us?

There is no magic recipe. The secret is to keep on working at it.