Italy celebrated a historic achievement at the World Alpine Ski Championships, held in Saalbach, Austria, by clinching the gold medal in the mixed team parallel slalom. The remarkable Italian squad, comprising Lara Della Mea, Alex Vinatzer, Filippo Della Vite, and Giorgia Collomb, rose to victory against Switzerland, marking Italy's first gold medal ever secured in this competition.
The event started on February 6, 2025, and the Italian team faced significant odds. Defying expectations, they triumphed over Switzerland after finishing the final with a tie of 2–2. The outcome hinged on the cumulative times recorded, and the Italians took the lead by just 45 hundredths of a second, showcasing not only their speed but also their sheer determination.
Earlier rounds paved the way for this monumental victory. The first challenge came against Ukraine, where Italy dominated with a convincing 4–0 victory, setting the tone for the remainder of the competition. The quarterfinals saw the team triumph over France, and then they faced off against Sweden in the semifinals. There, with moments of nail-biting tension, they secured their place in the finals through another close call—a tie, but again winning through the overall time advantage.
Individual performances from the team were pivotal. Lara Della Mea, who had previously won bronze six years ago, stated, "Mi sono divertita tantissimo, siamo un team bellissimo e ci siamo caricati a vicenda" (I had so much fun, we are a wonderful team and we motivated each other). Her excitement mirrored the sentiment of the day, highlighting the incredible teamwork and camaraderie they displayed throughout the event.
Giorgia Collomb, the youngest yet remarkable member of the squad, also chimed in with her emotions from the rollercoaster of the competition: "Lì per lì non avevo neanche realizzato: è stato tutto così veloce" (I hadn't even realized at the moment: it was all so fast). Collomb delivered stellar performances, overcoming formidable opponents to contribute significantly to the team’s success. Her shining form included defeating renowned racer Wendy Holdener of Switzerland, reinforcing her prowess and potential.
Alex Vinatzer, referred to as the team's veteran, added to the chorus of celebration saying: "Ci siamo spinti a vicenda, è incredibile" (We pushed each other, it's incredible). Vinatzer, who had already tasted success alongside Della Mea with the bronze from 2019, relished the moment with newfound glory. He encapsulated the essence of their unity, expressing how their collective support made the victory sweeter.
This gold medal is especially momentous as Italy had never reached the winner's podium in this discipline before. The previous record for the Italians was the bronze medal at Åre, achieved with the same performers, including Della Mea and Vinatzer, along with Irene Curtoni and Simon Maurberger.
The triumph is indicative of the evolution and the potential of the Italian skiing community, illustrating how consistent training and teamwork can lead to spectacular outcomes. The young team bravely took on established rivals, inspiring future generations of skiers.
Looking forward, the team is motivated to continue their strong form as they set their eyes on the upcoming Super-G event on February 6, where they will be joined by big names like Marta Brignone and Sofia Goggia. Italian audiences eagerly await to see if this magnificent momentum can translate to more victories.
Lara Della Mea said it best, summing up the spirit and determination of the team: "È incredibile essere medaglia d’oro, non ce l’aspettavamo, ma abbiamo dato davvero tutto" (It’s incredible to be gold medalists, we didn’t expect it, but we truly gave everything). This victory not only marks the dawn of new successes for Italian alpine skiing but also cements their status within the sport historically.