Training camp with the swedish and finnish national teams
From January 6 to 15, four Park World Tour Italia athletes took part in the Barbate training camp together with the Swedish and Finnish national teams, two of the strongest programs on the international scene. This opportunity was made possible thanks to the international connections built by team manager Gabriele Viale, who enabled the PWT Italia athletes to train and compare themselves with top-level squads.
Team athlete Guenda Zaffanella described her week as follows:
“I’m thrilled to have taken part in the camp. It was the ideal environment to grow and understand the areas where I can improve. The experience was enriched by the chance to share around a dozen technical trainings, as well as alternative sessions to recharge our energy (bodyweight strength work and scenic runs), with two national teams that sit at the top of the world rankings, Sweden and Finland.
It was a week to work on ourselves and as a group, and also to test our pre- and post-training and race routines, thanks to three simulation sessions: Sprint, Middle and Relay. The terrains were tough and interesting, perfect for focusing on details and allowing even a less experienced eye, like mine, not to be caught off guard, shaping the mind to be ready for any new environment.
Moreover, the second part of the week focused on Mass Start and pack running, as well as a Relay structured into two intervals of 3 km each. Intensity, dynamism and mental flexibility: this camp tested many different techniques, as well as psychological aspects and physical fatigue, providing a 360-degree start to the year.
A first step toward a brilliant 2026 – hopefully!”