For the first time in the history of European university sport, the year 2023 was highlighted by the first ever edition of the European University Winter Championships, organized by EUSA - European University Sports Association, in the Italian province of Belluno, in Val di Zoldo. This pioneering event, which took place between the 18th and 21st of December 2023, had the participation of Marta Carvalho, a first-year Business Administration and Management student at CATÓLICA-LISBON, whose brilliant performance captivated everyone's attention.
It was "still with a pacifier in her mouth" that Marta began to cultivate her passion for winter sports, a family tradition that took her to the Alpine and Pyrenean mountains at the age of three. "I never wanted to stop skiing," says Marta, whose precoce talent led her to join the Ski Club of Portugal at the age of seven, where she trained regularly in Serra da Estrela and represented Portugal in international competitions from an early age. She has now been the absolute national champion for two consecutive years and represented Portugal at the World Youth Championships, coming 45th out of 92 athletes.
The opportunity to represent Portugal at the European University Winter Championships was made possible by the Portuguese Winter Sports Federation, and Marta was chosen to represent the Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, an opportunity that she considers "a great honor" and which she faced with "great responsibility and dedication".
During the event, Marta faced significant challenges, such as limited preparation due to the competition taking place at the start of the season. "I think one of the biggest challenges of this competition was the fact that it took place very early in the season, which meant that we had very few hours to train and prepare," she says. However, her determination and meticulous preparation led her to overcome these obstacles.
Despite the challenges, Marta highlights the positive experience she had during the competition. "The whole competition went very well overall," she states. "Meeting university athletes from all over Europe and their abilities in both skiing and studying was something very special. I made new friends, exchanged experiences and I'll always remember this competition due to the community of dedicated and hard-working athletes who attended."
Marta also shared her mental preparation ritual before competitions, which includes saying a prayer to calm her nerves and repeating her father's words: "I want to, I can, I achieve". For the athlete, "being strong on a psychological level carries a lot of weight in competition".
When it comes to balancing her studies and training, Marta emphasizes the importance of organization and discipline. "As the years go by, the levels of demand in both fields increases substantially," she explains, "but you have to define your priorities well and make a lot of sacrifices."
When asked about her plans for the future, Marta was clear: she intends to continue to combine her university studies with skiing, with the ambition of continuing to represent Portugal in international competitions. "The sedentary lifestyle rate of the Portuguese population is 76%," she notes, "and I'd like my example to serve as a reason for us to evolve in sports."
Marta Carvalho is more than an exemplary student-athlete - she is an inspiration to us all, showing that with passion, dedication and discipline, it is possible to achieve great things in both winter sports and academic studies. And CATÓLICA-LISBON is very proud of its students.