Italian Nordic combined skier Samuel Costa wants to build on his two individual podium finishes from last season ©Getty Images

Italy’s Samuel Costa is hoping to build on his maiden International Ski Federation (FIS) Nordic Combined World Cup individual podiums next season – after he gets back to full fitness.

The 24-year-old finished third on two consecutive days when the Seefeld Triple was held in Austria in January.

He followed this up with a fifth-place finish on the final day of competition at the resort.

Costa’s only previous experience on a World Cup podium came in December 2013 when he was part of the Italian squad who came third in the team sprint contest at Ramsau am Dachstein in Austria.

Shortly after his success in Seefeld, Costa sustained a knee injury which has hindered his preparations for the 2017-2018 campaign.

Samuel Costa has been recovering from a knee injury ©Getty Images
Samuel Costa has been recovering from a knee injury ©Getty Images

However, speaking during an interview published on the FIS website, the Italian said his target remains to keep improving and not let the injury get him down.

“Seefeld was the proof that I am on the right way,” he said.

“My goal was, is and will always be to win.

“But right now, my biggest dream is to get pain-free again.”