Italy's national ski team made history by clinching gold at the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships held on February 4, 2025, in Saalbach, Austria. The Italian team comprised Giorgia Collomb, Filippo Della Vite, Lara Della Mea, and Alex Vinatzer, who triumphed over Switzerland with a total time of advantage of 0.45 seconds after the thrilling final race.
The opening day of the championships showcased Italy's prowess, beginning with their resounding 4-0 victory against Ukraine, followed by another significant win against France, where they dominated with 3-1. It was their semi-final contest against Sweden, which proved to be the most dramatic, as the Italians advanced by the narrowest margin of just one hundredth of a second.
Led by Alex Vinatzer, Italy faced strong competitors along their path to glory. The final saw Collomb facing off against Wendy Holdener, a two-time world champion, who fell short after making mistakes during her run. This initial victory set the stage for what was to come. Although Switzerland briefly equalized through Luca Aerni, and later took the lead with Delphine Darbellay defeating Lara Della Mea, the final skirmish came down to Vinatzer and Thomas Tumler.
Vinatzer, coming off a strong season, prepared fiercely for this moment. Tumler's poor start on this decisive final heat allowed Vinatzer to capitalize and dominate the course. He finished with remarkable speed, clocking 24.48 seconds, finishing 0.61 seconds faster than Tumler, eventually sealing the fate for the Italians.
Post-race celebrations were heartfelt as the team expressed their elation over this unprecedented achievement. “It's so nice to stand up there with the silver medal,” remarked Wendy Holdener, recognizing the fierce competition.
Italy's coach Max Carca acknowledged the pressure and high expectations from the team, stating, “It’s a good start because we invest a lot.” The success on the first day foreshadows great potential for the Italian team as they progress through the championships, with stars like Federica Brignone and Sofia Goggia ready to tackle their respective events.
The emotions were palpable as each team member reflected on their adventures and struggles during the competition. Vinatzer expressed his enthusiasm, remarking, “We travelled a lot for this and we are super happy.”
This victory not only marks Italy's first gold medal at the Ski World Championships, but also serves as a powerful motivator, injecting hope and excitement as the team looks fiercely forward to the upcoming challenges. The sports community is buzzing with anticipation for more stunning performances as the championships continue, especially with the women's super-G event featuring Brignone and Goggia just around the corner.