Photographer Leonardo Bornati + Federico Terenzio – Fashion Editor Matteo Greco – Talent Nikolaj Memola – Makeup by Andrea Severino Sailis at Blend Management using Violette FR – Hair by Angelica Davanzo at Blend Management – Fashion Assistant Jacopo Doris – Interview by Melania Musci // Tank Top Extrame Chasmere – Necklace Swarovski // Total Look Prada // Tank Top Extrame Chasmere – Necklace Swarovski
Cardigan Alanui – Shirt Paul Smith – Jeans Acne Studios – Shoes Bally / Total Look Bally
The first time you laced up your ice skates must have sealed your fate. Would you like to tell us about that first memory and how your passion was born?
My very first memory goes back to a Sunday, with my mum, at Milan’s Palazzo del Ghiaccio. She’s always been a figure skating coach — and she still coaches me today — but as a child, I’d often tag along and watch her training sessions. At the beginning, I wasn’t particularly interested in skating seriously. But during the weekends, when the rink was open to the public, I remember my mum gently insisting (Laughs, E.D.) that I take lessons with her and my sister, who had already been training competitively for some time. Even though she encouraged me, she never pressured me into anything, and I’m grateful for that. Over time, something inside me shifted. Around the age of 10 or 11, I realised that what had started as just a fun weekend activity could actually become a huge part of my life.
Staying on this topic, your coach is Olga Romanova, but the role she plays in your life is mostly that of a mother. What are the pros and cons of this dual relationship between you two? Are you able to keep your private and sports/professional life separate?
I won’t deny that having my mom as my coach sometimes brings typical mother-son dynamics onto the ice. But over time, we’ve both learnt — often through disagreements — to keep the two sides of our relationship as separate as possible. One of the most important things we’ve worked on is learning not to carry negative emotions from training back into our personal life. And we’ve definitely gotten better at it. What I truly appreciate now, more and more every day, is knowing that, as my mum, she will always and only have my best interests at heart. At this level, it’s not unusual for a coach to act based on their own interests or to prioritise one athlete over another, but with her, I know that will never happen.
When I was younger, I often felt like the rebellious son dealing with his coach. Now, I’ve become the athlete working with his coach — with the huge privilege that my coach also happens to be my mum.
Cardigan Alanui – Shirt Paul Smith – Jeans Acne Studios / Total Look Marni
You’ve just returned from Boston, where you competed in the World Championships. What considerations did you make about your performance on the return flight?
At this competition, Italy had the chance to secure its spot for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Thanks to my Top 10 finish, Italy will now be able to send two athletes to the event. Right now, I’m one of the leading Italian candidates, but my participation will only become official after the Italian Championships in December, once the full season starting in September, is evaluated. During the flight home, I reflected a lot on how much more aware I’ve become of myself and my abilities. A year ago, I would’ve never imagined being a serious contender for the Olympics. With that goal in mind, I took a hard look at the mistakes I made during the competition and identified areas where I can still grow. By analysing everything with a clear head, I realised what improvements I need to make both athletically and personally, indeed one thing I’m determined to work on is not letting nerves get the better of me, even when performing in front of an arena packed with 19,600 spectators.
What does it mean, at 21 years old, to be among the potential athletes to compete at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics? Was participating in the world’s biggest sporting event one of your childhood dreams?
When I was a kid writing letters to Santa, my ultimate wish was always to compete at the Olympics (Laughs, E.D.). I think taking part in the Games is the ultimate dream for any athlete, not only because it’s the most prestigious competition, but because it brings together the very best from around the world. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that every athlete hopes to live. Qualifying would be incredibly special for me, especially because I’d be competing at home. I’m from Monza and I trained in Milan for most of my life, so these Olympics feel very close to my heart, both emotionally and personally. Taking part would definitely mark the highest point of my career so far, but it wouldn’t be the final goal.
Training for important competitions like these must be very intense. Do you train alone or do you share the ice rink with your colleagues? What benefits do you get from sharing the rink?
I’m lucky to train every day alongside my direct rivals. I share the rink with Matteo Rizzo, a two-time Olympian, and Corey Circelli. They’re not just training partners, but also great friends, and pushing each other during practice really helps us raise the bar every day.The best part is that the competition between us stays healthy. It’s all about motivating each other rather than adding pressure. Especially during the toughest phases of the season, having them around makes the atmosphere lighter and keeps the focus exactly where it needs to be.
Coat Ami Paris – Jacket and Jeans COS – Shirt Intimissimi – Shoes Timberland – Sunglasses Pucci / Jacket Paul Smith – Long sleeve Extrame Chasmere – Trousers Alanui – Shoes Ami Paris
How many hours a week do you spend on the ice? Do you think this lifestyle, at your age, is a sacrifice?
I usually train six days a week, for a total of around 25 to 30 hours. My schedule is split between on-ice training, athletic preparation, and additional sessions focused on stretching, posture, and classical ballet to improve body control. When competitions are approaching, I slightly reduce the workload to make sure I’m fresh and ready to perform at my best. But overall, I do everything I can to stay in top form. When I was younger, it was hard to handle this lifestyle, especially during the holidays, which have always looked different for me compared to most people who study or work. Now, I see skating as my job. After training, I try to carve out some time for myself in the evenings and make the most of every free moment to nurture my friendships, especially the ones that have proven to be really solid. Luckily, the people around me have always been supportive and never made me feel bad for missing out because of training. I think my passion for skating has grown even stronger because of that. Today, I truly feel that everything sport gives me is incredibly valuable, and that all the sacrifices, mine, my family’s, and my friends’, are absolutely worth it.
In a previous interview, you mentioned that your height of 1.95 meters is a disadvantage for figure skating because it makes balance more challenging. What characteristic do you think is an advantage?
First of all, I want to clarify that being 1.95 meters tall, in terms of the athletic movement of jumping, is a disadvantage purely from a physics standpoint. With a higher center of gravity, I’m more susceptible to balance fluctuations. At the same time, I believe having a more imposing figure can actually be an advantage in terms of stage presence, especially in a sport like figure skating, which also has an artistic component. If I had to think of one characteristic that gives me an edge, it would definitely be my strong personality. When I step onto the ice, I’m not shy. Instead, I try to engage everyone around me, including the judges, in what I’m doing. Ever since I was young, I’ve never been nervous about how the audience might perceive me, and I think that ‘challenging’ attitude has always helped me. Now, it’s supported by a greater self awareness of my abilities.
This section of The Greatest is called ‘Handshake’. What do you consider to be the most significant handshake of your career so far?
In the fall of 2022, I’d just qualified for the World Championship final in Turin. Shortly after, I was invited to Varese for the opening of a university campus, which also included a special exhibition on the ice rink there. At the end of the performance, I found myself face-to-face with President Mattarella, and shaking his hand and hearing him speak my name was an unforgettable moment. In that instant, I truly felt the weight of representing my country through my sport. I couldn’t help but think back to my childhood, watching Olympic medal ceremonies at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, mesmerised by the athletes standing before the President. To experience something similar, even on a smaller scale, filled me with an overwhelming sense of pride. And what’s even more remarkable is that after that moment, I went on to win the World Cup final in Turin, becoming the first Italian ever to do so.
Trench Mordecai – Jacket and Jeans Paul Smith x Lee – Tank Top Extrame Chasmere – Shoes Ami Paris – Necklace Swarovski / Total Look Marni
And if you had to think of someone you’d like to shake hands with during the next competitions, who would it be and why?
It’s someone I know very well, a close friend of mine. I’d love to shake hands with Ilia Malinin, the current World Champion. For nearly two years, Ilia has dominated every competition, and the thought of shaking his hand would mean I’ve made it to the podium with him. It’s not just about being on the podium together, but about sharing that unique moment when athletes shake hands and hug before the ceremony. That moment would carry so much meaning for me. It would symbolise not only being among the best in my field, but also standing side by side with the athlete who currently holds the world record and is widely regarded as the best. Who knows, maybe I’ll get the chance to share that podium at the Olympics with him. (Smiles, E.D.).
Last question. What would you say to little Nikolaj before his first competition if you had the chance to?
I think I was around five years old for my first competition. It was in Brescia, and I remember finishing third (Smiles, E.D.). If I could say something to that little Nikolaj, it would be to never let anyone influence him. My luck was that I never felt any pressure, as I mentioned before. Everything I did came naturally and instinctively, and I believe that was the true driving force behind my passion. I would tell him to trust himself completely, and that as he moves forward, everything will fall into place. Destiny will take its course.