Skier Marta Bassino on learning to believe after World Cup campaign

After a miserable 23rd spot in Slovenia in January, alpine skier Marta Bassino said there was no need to panic but she had to "wake up".

It was a season full of highs, lows, crashes, mouth injuries, an incredible podium in Switzerland and a mighty fifth at the Korean Olympics.

The 22-year-old Italian did indeed awake from her slumbers.

How did she turn it around? And what were her highlights and lowlights? The Sky Sports Scholar reveals all after a very challenging campaign on the snow.

FEELINGS ON THE SEASON?
I'm happy about my second half of the campaign. The first part was difficult for me because I wasn't skiing very well and so I was upset with myself and I wasn't confident on the snow.

That meant I struggled to achieve good results. A good result for me is getting on the podium or really close to it.

But overall, there are still lots of positive things. I am really happy with how I reacted to this negative period, and it was just in time for the most important date of the season - the Olympics in South Korea.

After January, I felt good again on the snow and between the gates and I started again to believe in myself and in my capabilities.

I went on to get some good results, including second in the Alpine Combined in Lenzerheide, Switzerland and fifth in the Giant Slalom at the Olympics.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF?
I've learned that from every day I can learn something and treasure it whatever I do.

In our sport, experience is really important so never throw away anything. And that includes negative things as well because sooner or later everything turns and comes back!

I also learned to never stop believing in myself!

FAVOURITE MEMORY?
It has to be the Olympic Games in PyeongChang. All the experience there was just amazing! The opening ceremony, the life at the village, the races, the people! It was just an incredible experience.

I was so happy with fifth spot in the Giant. It was such a great day, I was really good and I felt good on my skis!

WORST MEMORY?
It was the day of the Giant Slalom in Kranjska Gora in Slovenia. I had the 16th best time in the first downhill and I was 27th in the second.

It was my worst result of the year, but it wasn't only the result. I just felt really sad and confused. I lost belief in myself and in my capabilities. I struggled to know what I had to do for skiing.

WHAT IMPROVEMENTS DO YOU NEED FOR NEXT SEASON?
I will work on my Giant Slalom skills, day-by-day and hopefully developing physically, mentally and technically.

I will work a lot on my Slalom turns, Super-G and Slalom so I can become a proper multi-skilled girl!

ANY FUN TIME IN THE OFF-SEASON?
I will spend a few weeks at the sea. This is the only period I can use for a vacation before getting stuck into preparation for the next season.

I need to relax my body and my mind! I love the sun and the warm weather so I will go to Marsa Alam in Egypt for a week and then I'll go to Cuba.

HOPES AND TARGETS FOR NEXT SEASON?
The World Cup seasons gets going again on October 27 with the Giant Slalom in Sölden in Austria.

I will work hard to reach my targets. I'd love to come back on the podium in Giant Slalom and get a victory!