Loena Hendrickx – Back on the Ice, Stronger Than Ever
A Moment to Remember
Loena Hendrickx will never forget the moment she officially learned that she had qualified for the Winter Games in Milan–Cortina.
Relief. Pride. Pure joy.
After months of hard work, through ups and downs, doubts and confidence, she received confirmation of everything she had put into it.
BLACKROLL® spoke with the 26-year-old as she prepares for what will be her third International Winter Games . A portrait of an extraordinary athlete.
Preparation, as only Loena does it
Even though the Winter Games lend a touch of magic to every season, Loena stays true to her own style.
Routine. Structure. Calm. That’s her foundation.
And yet, this winter—as she prepares for the major event—takes on a special hue: two weeks of training in Miami.
Sunshine instead of gray, cold weather. Warmth instead of winter. A different rhythm—and exactly the space she needs to recharge between intense training sessions.
“Actually, it’s just like every year—only with one more major competition,” she laughs.
Few athletes get to experience three Winter Olympics. For Loena, this isn’t pressure—it’s motivation:
“That’s what motivates me the most. I’m incredibly proud to be able to compete again!”
The Magic of Milan–Cortina
As the entire winter sports world turns its attention to Milan and Cortina starting February 6, the pressure on the athletes continues to mount. For Loena, however, her own high standards are balanced by a sense of calm.
That doesn’t mean everything comes easily to Loena. She’s a perfectionist, sets high goals for herself, and feels the expectations that come with success. But she’s learned to deal with this pressure—not to fight it, but to use it to her advantage.
What makes Milan–Cortina special for Loena isn’t just what happens on the ice. It’s the sense of teamwork that’s unique to the Winter Games.
In a sport that often seems individualistic, something collective emerges there: athletes who share the same dream, work toward the same moment, and support one another. This atmosphere is what makes the Games unique for her.
Her goal is clear—and at the same time, deliberately simple: two flawless free skate programs. To leave the ice with a smile. For her, success isn’t defined by the podium, but by the feeling of having given it her all.
The little rituals that mean everything
Just before the competition, there’s a moment that’s sacred to Loena. While she’s getting ready, she always calls her mother. No long conversation. No grand words. Just closeness. Calm. Trust.
In her suitcase for Milan, of course, are her skates and competition outfits—and her personal good-luck charm: a tissue box shaped like the Disney character Cat Marie. She can’t travel without it.
Recovery as the Key to Performance
During a training phase that’s more intense than ever before, Loena knows that recovery makes all the difference.
Before training, she warms up her muscles with resistance bands. Afterward, she relies on her RECOVERY BOOTS and herfavorite recovery balm. And in the evening? She consciously does nothing. Sits on the sofa. Unwinds. This moment is her reset.
“I try to focus on having fun. On how much I love this sport. And on trusting my training.”
“Stronger than ever” takes on a very personal meaning this way.
