Italy has struck gold at the Alpine Ski World Championships 2025 in Saalbach, clinching victory in the mixed team parallel event—a historic achievement for the Azzurri.
Competing against formidable opponents, the Italian team, consisting of Lara Della Mea, Giorgia Collomb, Alex Vinatzer, and Filippo Della Vite, showcased exceptional prowess by defeating Ukraine, France, Sweden, and finally Switzerland.
The gold medal-winner was determined during the exhilarating final against Switzerland, which ended with both teams splitting the points 2-2. Italy claimed the title based on the combined time of their best male and female racers, finishing with only 45 hundredths of a second advantage.
"It was just the start we wanted for these World Championships," Della Vite exclaimed after their victory. "The atmosphere was electrifying, and the track was fantastic!" His teammate, 18-year-old Giorgia Collomb, who played a pivotal role throughout the competition, added: "I still can’t believe what happened. We worked so well as a team, and it was such intense competition!"
The Azzurri’s path to gold began with ease as they effortlessly dispatched Ukraine with a dominant 4-0 victory, then moved to face France. Italy emerged victorious over France, with standout performances from Della Mea and Vinatzer. Despite Collomb’s narrow defeat against Marie Lamure, Della Vite secured the win, sending them to the semifinals.
Against Sweden, Italy faced its first real challenge. Della Mea decisively won her match against Olympic giant slalom champion Sara Hector, but Vinatzer’s race was closely contested, and Collomb earned another point for the Azzurri, ensuring advancement to the finals by just one hundredth of a second.
Italy's final match against the Swiss squad featured thrilling head-to-heads. Collomb gained the lead, outperforming Wendy Holdener, and though Della Vite faced challenges, Vinatzer’s performance was key, beating Thomas Tumler decisively. The crowd went wild when the final horn blew to signal Italy's historic triumph.
"This result means everything for us! It’s incredible to win gold on this stage. We've been waiting for this moment, and it’s finally here," Vinatzer said. "The level of the competition was sky-high; we had to give our best. Luckily, it paid off!"
Reflecting on the team’s efforts, Della Mea noted, "We are such a fantastic team, and we lifted each other up throughout the competition. I have never had this much fun skiing!"
Meanwhile, the bronze medal was claimed by Sweden, which overcame the United States 3-1. The win marks Italy’s 25th world championship title and their 78th overall medal at the championships, rendering this occasion one of their most triumphant days.
Overall, this event not only brought joy to its participants but also elevated the morale of the entire Italian ski community, marking the Azzurri’s golden beginning to the World Championships. The entire nation now looks toward future events with excitement and anticipation.
With promising skiers like Collomb making headlines at just 18, the future seems bright for Italy's alpine ski program. The athletes will now prepare to compete again, carrying the momentum of their gold medal onward.