Obstinacy, enthusiasm, passion, expertise, and several hours of track work haven’t been enough. The heavy snowfall that affected Val di Fassa over the weekend, especially during the night between Saturday and Sunday, has prevented also the second super-G of Women’s World Cup from taking place. 
After the cancellation of Saturday’s race, everything possible had been done to guarantee the smooth running of the second scheduled competition, but a further 25-centimetres snowfall has made things irreparably complicated. 
The Organising Committee staff, which thanked publicly the laudable mass of volunteers, has tried its best to clear out La VolatA slope from the fresh snow, thanks to the impressive work of over 150 people, who have done all they could since the early morning, also supported by the valuable aid of the Firefighters from Mazzin and Carano, as well as the company Pro Fire, which made the instrumentation to light up the track available. 
Unfortunately, the safety conditions to let the enrolled athletes properly compete haven’t been fulfilled. 
«In these situations, we need to acknowledge that nature is stronger than us – commented Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup director Peter Gerdol -. There was a major snowfall on Saturday, and by evening the slope was fixed, showing good conditions, enough to guarantee the performing of the race. Tonight, however, another 25 centimetres of snow fell, isolating the surface. People worked relentlessly, but it wasn’t possible to compete. Our priority is, and always will be, the athletes’ safety. The decision was almost forced». 
Do you think Val di Fassa will get another chance in the future? «I really hope so – adds Gerdol -. The scheduling of the World Cup calendar has changed, compared to the past. Further discussions must be made, but I believe we’ll find a way to come back here. Val di Fassa deserves it». 
For insiders, this has been a challenging weekend, and within the organising committee there’s the awareness that they did everything possible. «Even more than possible – points out slope director Mattia Giongo -. This, however, is the sport of skiing. We were mentally prepared for this kind of events, and we hope to put ourselves out there again in the future. The heavy snowfall has put us to the test, but we went on track with five snowcats, we groomed it, clearing almost 70 thousand square metres of snow, a fact that speaks for itself. After the cancellation of the first race, we had a good outlook for the second one, but luck turned its back on us once again. This morning, we started off in full swing, but for safety reasons we weren’t able to guarantee the smooth running of the programme. We want to pursue our project and we hope that the cooperation with FIS can go on». 
Race director Cesare Pastore, lastly, wanted to spare a special thought for the many insiders and volunteers that worked hard for the cause. «We tried till the very end – explains Pastore -. When the cancellation of the race became official, there were still people working on the slope, proof that our collaborators were very driven. Right over the weekend, we had the greatest snowfall of this winter. Between Friday and today, almost one metre of snow fell over the top part of the slope. We were still able to clear it all out, but the last snowfall gave us the finishing blow. On my part, I can’t thank enough all those who did all they could to help us, working relentlessly». 
For Val di Fassa, anyway, this organising experience is a starting point, especially for the newborn company Val di Fassa Major Events, which has officially started up its first important international event, creating a particularly ambitious working team. The next appointment on the calendar is the two-day Europa Cup ski cross, scheduled on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd of March at Costabella ski cross stadium, at Passo San Pellegrino, under Us Monti Pallidi’s direction. 

There was nothing else to do also for the second super-G of Val di Fassa Worl Cup. FIS, together with the Organising Committee, following a further 25-centimetres snowfall during the night and after a careful inspection, have decided to cancel the competition scheduled for Sunday, too.
The Organising Committee staff has made everything possible to clear out La VolatA slope from the fresh snow, thanks to the impressive work of over 150 volunteers, who have done all they could since the early morning, also thanks to the aid of the Firefighters from Mazzin and Carano, as well as the company Pro Fire, which made the instrumentation to lighten up the track available.
Unfortunately, the safety conditions to let the enrolled athletes properly compete haven’t been fulfilled.
Organising Committee general secretary Cristoforo Debertol, with sports director Davide Moser, race director Cesare Pastore, and slope director Mattia Giongo, are thankful to all the volunteers and professionals that, during these days, have made themselves available for Val di Fassa World Cup.
Meanwhile, the two prefectures in charge have stated that the roads leading to the pass from Moena and Falcade are regularly open. 

The snowcats and team coordinated by race director Cesare Pastore and by slope director Mattia Giongo have worked relentlessly all night long on the slope of La VolatA, trying their hardest, but all the snow fallen on the eve of Val di Fassa World Cup’s first super-G hasn’t made the necessary process of securing of the race track possible. FIS, after thoughtful evaluation, has decided to cancel today’s competition. People are working for tomorrow’s race, on Sunday 25th of February. 
This morning, San Pellegrino ski area was completely white and the view, aided by the nice weather, was particularly evocative. Weather conditions weren’t as favourable during the night, when another 30-centimetres snowfall, adding to the 40 fallen yesterday, hasn’t made the execution of the first World Cup super-G possible. 
«Another snowfall during the night, of about 30 centimetres, and the wind at high altitude, haven’t made the complete grooming of the slope possible, after the one previously carried out, and it wasn’t thus possible to proceed with the process of securing of the track, either – explains Cristoforo Debertol, Val di Fassa World Cup general secretary -. FIS has made the appropriate evaluations and, without the necessary conditions, opted for the cancellation of the first super-G. Now we’re working for tomorrow’s race». 
The final decision, as it’s custom, was taken by the international federation. «On the top part of the slope, there were a total of 70 centimetres of fresh snow, 50 at the bottom – explains Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup director Peter Gerdol -. The further snowfall during the eve’s night has made things more complicated. With this much snow, it’s mandatory to use snowcats, which did their job, and were still working this morning. After that, however, you need to wait a couple of hours to let the slope’s ground perfectly bind. This factor determined that the race couldn’t start neither at 11 a.m. nor at 12 p.m.». 
Safety first. «It didn’t make sense to try and do something that wouldn’t eventually work – adds Gerdol -, it’s preferable to focus on tomorrow’s race, hoping for no further snowfalls». 
This afternoon, at 6 p.m. in Piaz de Sotegrava in Moena, there’ll be the bib drawing ceremony. The start of the next super-G, scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday 25th of February, will be at 11 a.m. 

The two-day World Cup on February 24^th and 25^th represents an extraordinary promotional and visibility opportunity to Val di Fassa, to let the world know about its unrivalled Dolomites and its organisational skills. An event that’ll have a television broadcasting in 150 countries, with an assumption of about 3.5 million spectators in total.
This important event enables to showcase the land’s features and the Ladin culture and traditions, that will be presented on the evening of Friday 23^rd of February at 6 p.m. in Moena, during an evocative opening, entitled Audi Fis World Cup Opening Parade. It will be a parade along the village streets and arriving in Piaz de Sotegrava, featuring all 9 Italian athletes registered, led by Federica Brignone, Marta Bassino, and Trentino’s Laura Pirovano, passing by on a traditional carriage, accompanied by young athletes from the local ski clubs, the instructors from the five ski schools holding torches, the athletes students of the Ski & Ice College Val di Fassa, and by other organisations of Val di Fassa, such as the group “Scufons del Cogo”, promoting freeride and telemark through the event “Scufoneda”, scheduled from the 8^th to the 10^th of March for its 27^th edition, as well as the rhythms by Moena rhythmic gymnastics of Fassa and Fiemme. Also attending the parade, with their notes and voices, the marching band “Mùsega da Poza” and Enrosadira choir from Moena, accompanied by performers on stilts that will give life to a unique show, with a celebratory conclusion on the stage with the attending administrative and sports authorities.
All will be preceded (from 4 p.m.) by a peculiar initiative presented by Associazione Bambi, supporting sick children and their families, with children’s make-up, popcorn, and candyfloss. Moreover, the local Alpini section will hand out mulled wine and street food in Perla Alpina square.
This top circuit’s competition will allow to highlight the significant teamwork put in play by all the tourism, administrative, and sports constituents, and by the associationism, with the coordination by the new company Major Events Val di Fassa. It’s no coincidence that, focused on the same goal for the first time, the three local ski clubs, namely Ski Team Fassa, Us Monti Pallidi, and Fassa Active, as well as the 5 ski schools operating in the area: Italian Ski School Moena Dolomiti, Italian Ski School Vajolet Pozza di Fassa, Italian Ski School Vigo di Fassa and Passo Costalunga, Italian Ski School Canazei Marmolada, and Italian Ski School Campitello, have been involved. With them, the Alpine School and the 5^th athlete unit of the Finance Police of Predazzo, and the State Police Alpine Training Centre of Moena.
Also not to be missed is Saturday night’s evocative event, again at 6 p.m., with the official prize-giving of the first race day, whereas the flower ceremony will be held in the parterre of La VolatA slope, and the bib drawing ceremony in Piaz de Sotegrava in Moena. Saturday’s and Sunday’s races will start at 11 a.m., with the official prize-giving at the finish area of Passo San Pellegrino when the race is over.

The programme

FRIDAY 23^rd OF FEBRUARY 2024
5.00 p.m.: Team Captains’ Meeting | La Gran Ciasa – Soraga
6.00 p.m.: Audi Fis World Cup Opening Parade | Piaz de Ramon– Moena

SATURDAY 24^th OF FEBRUARY 2024
11.00 a.m.: Val di Fassa Audi FIS Ski World Cup - Super G Women
following: Flower Ceremony | Finish Area
5.00 p.m.: Team Captains’ Meeting | La Gran Ciasa – Soraga
6.00 p.m.: Official prize-giving ceremony and bib drawing l Piaz de Sotegrava – Moena

SUNDAY 25^th OF FEBRUARY 2024
11.00 a.m.: Val di Fassa Audi FIS Ski World Cup - Super G Women
following: Flower Ceremony and Official Prize-giving l Finish Area

Road closures: accessibility Passo San Pellegrino

On the occasion of the two Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup races, on the 24^th and 25^th of February 2024 at Passo San Pellegrino, traffic restrictions have been issued on both sides – Trentino and Veneto – of the pass. In Trentino, State Road 346 will be closed from Ronchi area (Alpe Lusia valley station) to Passo San Pellegrino, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., on both race days. There will be a free shuttle service from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (outward) and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (return), with departure nearby Moena’s sports field (Bici Grill). Parking will be free.
State Road 346 will be closed from the junction to Passo Valles to Passo San Pellegrino, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., on both race days. There will be a free shuttle service from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (outward) and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (return), with the following stops: first stop in Savaion area (Canale d’Agordo), area with car park; second stop at the square in Falcade; third stop in Falcade, at Pizzeria La Stua in Via Serafini; fourth stop in Falcade (parish church).

On the occasion of the two Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup races, on the 24^th and 25^th of February 2024 at Passo San Pellegrino, traffic restrictions have been issued on both sides – Trentino and Veneto – of the pass.

Trentino  
State Road 346 will be closed from Ronchi area (Alpe Lusia valley station) to Passo San Pellegrino, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., on both race days. There will be a free shuttle service from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (outward) and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (return), with departure nearby Moena’s sports field (Bici Grill). Parking will be free.

Veneto
State Road 346 will be closed from the junction to Passo Valles to Passo San Pellegrino, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., on both race days. There will be a free shuttle service from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (outward) and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (return), with the following stops: • first stop in Savaion area (Canale d’Agordo) - area with car park • second stop at the square in Falcade • third stop in Falcade, at Pizzeria La Stua in Via Serafini • fourth stop in Falcade, parish church

Alternative routes
All those arriving in or leaving Val di Fassa are advised to use alternative roads, such as Passo Fedaia and Passo Valles.

Competing at home always gives some extra emotion and incentive, from which the strong Italian team, led by Federica Brignone and Marta Bassino, will benefit next weekend in Val di Fassa, doubly motivated after the excellent results obtained during last weekend in Crans Montana, where the skier from Trentino Laura Pirovano stood out, too, ready now to collect her audience’s embrace.
On Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th, La VolatA slope at Passo San Pellegrino will be stage of two World Cup super-Gs, included in the top international circuit’s calendar for the first time, after the fortunate experience of 2021, when this resort hosted three rescheduled speed races.
Federica Brignone remembers that experience well, after hitting the big target in the last competition of that tree-day event, precisely in a super-G. In Crans Montana, the Italian landed two second places, one in the downhill and one in the super-G, missing victory on the second one by just 0.04s, separating her form the Austrian Stephanie Venier.
«I’m a bit bothered, because I’m often behind by a few hundredths of a second – commented the Italian skier, who is fully in the running for this discipline’s crystal globe, third in the ranking with 326 points, and 34 away from the leader Lara Gut-Behrami -. I’m not thinking about rankings, I want to go on race by race and try to do my best every time. Next, we’re racing in Italy, at Passo San Pellegrino, where I hope to give my best from start to finish. I want to have some good races».
Brignone will try to repeat her success of 2021 and, next weekend, she’ll be one of the most eagerly awaited athletes, together with her teammate Marta Bassino, who in Crans Montana won the second of the two scheduled downhill races and took the third place in the super-G.
«I’m really happy with how much I managed to reap in Crans Montana – explained the Italian -. These races give me confidence and I will continue along this road. Thursday I’ll have one day of giant slalom and then we’ll be back for speed in Val di Fassa».
Together with Brignone and Bassino, 26-year-old Laura Pirovano from Spiazzo Rendena also stood out in Switzerland, fourth and fifth in the two downhill races, and eleventh in the super-G. Her motivations will be double, since the race will be held in her homeland, where she’ll try to reach her first World Cup podium, fizzled out for 9 hundredths last Friday.
«I’m really happy with how much I reaped and how I skied in Crans Montana – says Pirovano -. I was able to get back in the top 5 and I matched my best career result. These nice performances arrived on the eve of the two home competitions. They gave me great confidence and I now hope to be able to reap some good results in front of my audience». Dreaming a spot on the podium.
In addition to Federica Brignone, Marta Bassino, and Laura Pirovano, technical director Gianluca Rulfi also convened for the two-day races Roberta Melesi, Nicol and Nadia Delago, Teresa Runggaldier, Vicky Bernardi, and Sara Thaler. Athletes and coaches will arrive in Val di Fassa on Wednesday 21^st of February, and on Thursday a training day is scheduled, in the area and slope selected tomorrow by the coaches, according to weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the wetting procedure on La VolatA slope is done, as underlined by the event’s sports director Davide Moser: «I must say thank you to all our co-workers from the three ski clubs Ski Team Fassa, Monti Pallidi, and FassActive, and to the lift company’s staff for all the work done in these days. The slope is prepared as requested by FIS. We are ready, trusting the weather».

On the occasion of the two Women's Alpine Skiing World Cup races on 24 and 25 February 2024 at San Pellegrino Pass, traffic restrictions have been issued on both the Trentino and Veneto sides of the pass.

Trentino side  
Road no. 346 will be closed from the locality of "Ronchi" (departure of the Alpe Lusia ski lifts) to the San Pellegrino Pass, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., on both race days. There will be a free shuttle service from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (outward journey) and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (return journey) starting near the football pitch in Moena (at the Bici Grill bar). Parking will be free of charge.

Veneto side
Road no. 346 from the junction for Valles Pass to San Pellegrino Pass will be closed from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on both race days. There will be a free shuttle service from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (outward) and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (return) with the following stops: · first stop in Canale d'Agordo, loc. Savaion - area with car park · second stop in the square in Falcade · third stop in Falcade, at Pizzeria La Stua, Via Serafini · fourth stop in Falcade, parish church

Light blue and grey, but most of all made from recycled materials. So are the two hundred jackets worn by organising committee, staff, and volunteers of the two Women’s World Cup super-Gs, scheduled for February 24^thand 25^thin Val di Fassa. A choice, for the Ladin valley, all for sustainability, that successfully combines sport and Dolomites’ environment, where women’s ski competitions take place. «We’re glad - says Alberto Olivetto, CEO of Energiapura, clothing manufacturer – that these jackets, which represent our collection’s best-sellers, will be worn during the World Cup races in Val di Fassa. It’s an opportunity to give value to Energiapura’s journey over the years towards zero waste and carbon emissions, to protect the future of sport and environment, especially that of our mountains».

The jackets are made thanks to the re-use of plastic bottles, retrieved and processed into GRS-certified fabric (Global Recycling Standard, the most important international standard for the sustainable production of garments and textiles made from recycled materials). 60% of the material comes from France, and 40% from Italy, where there is definitely room for improvement, both in waste sorting and in the final processing stages for companies that reuse plastics and other materials. «We begin with a fibre that’s still virgin, because PET is turned into PET first and then polymer, to make burrs, yarns and fabrics. Then the burrs are twisted, and the yarns and trimmings are made. Then, there are the dyeing stages, the finishing with various membranes and water repellents and then the final fabric».

To make each jacket, fifty-four plastic bottles are required, considering also that the garments boast tags, zips, and padding made from recycled materials, following a virtuous procedure that eliminates waste and activates a sustainability cycle. «For years we’ve been supporting skiers and athletes from all over the world. Being in Val di Fassa, alongside those working for this important sports event, adds significance to our mission, which considers research in favour of protecting the planet's health a key aspect». 

Organisation, foresight, perseverance, and teamwork skills. These are the qualities that allowed Val di Fassa to realise what, until a few years back, was a dream, now come true. Next February 24^th and 25^th, La VolatA slope in San Pellegrino ski area will be the stage of two days of Women’s super-G World Cup, crowning a journey started three decades ago. Since then, this valley has hosted 40 Europa Cup races, it’s been stage of the Universiade 2013, and for 17 years it’s been training centre of the Italian national team, thanks to the project «Piste Azzurre» and to Val di Fassa Tourist Board’s awareness. Another crucial step was the Junior Ski World Championship in 2019, which acted as a springboard towards the debut into the international top circuit, occurred in 2021 with the rescheduling of three races previously cancelled in China.
For the current season, this renowned resort of Trentino has officially landed the World Cup’s calendar, and it’s now ready to put in play the skills acquired over the years to try and stay there permanently. The important event, scheduled for the end of the month, was presented in Trento, in the crowded room Edo Benedetti, inside Gruppo Itas’ headquarters, partners of the event and a long-standing supporter of sport and, especially, of alpine skiing.
«We’re happy to host the presentation of an important event for the promotion of the region, which we’re glad to link our name to – started off as host Alessandro Molinari, director and CEO of Itas Mutua -. A close partnership between Itas and Val di Fassa was born for the commercialisation of compulsory ski insurance, for which we are the leader company in Italy with Itasnow. A collaboration that has now become stable, with a partnership on the major events, too».
His words were echoed by Fausto Lorenz, chairman of Val di Fassa Tourist Board and of Val di Fassa Major Events, which leads the organisation. «With the assignment of this event, our valley sees all the efforts made, firstly by our ski clubs and by the many people who worked hard to contribute to the success of the organisation, finally repaid – analysed Lorenz -. Being able to become one of World Cup’s fixed stages would make our organisational effort lighter, because once the system gets up to speed, everything’s easier».
Dreams often risk remaining so, if they are not nurtured and supported by skills, expertise, and the will to believe. «The World Cup in Val di Fassa isn’t really a dream, but a project started long ago – commented CEO of Trentino Marketing Maurizio Rossini about this-. The Autonomous Province of Trento and FISI brought Madonna di Campiglio’s 3Tre back to the top and started a project for Val di Fassa, that has now become reality. I’m certain that we’ll be able to prove FIS and FISI that their trust in us was well placed and that a fixed stage in Val di Fassa would be important for us, but at the same time it would also enrich the international calendar».
The goal was reached thanks to the great teamwork that the new company Val di Fassa Major Events has been able to put in play for this prestigious event, involving San Pellegrino ski area and the local ski clubs Ski Team Fassa, Us Monti Pallidi, and FassActive, and the five ski schools of the valley (Moena Dolomiti, Vajolet Pozza di Fassa, Vigo di Fassa and Passo Costalunga, Canazei Marmolada, and Campitello), but also the Alpine School and the 5^th athlete unit of the Finance Police of Predazzo, and the State Police Alpine Training Centre of Moena.
«Compared to three years ago, when we had to organise everything in two months, in the midst of a pandemic, this time we’ve had more time to be prepared – explained Davide Moser, sports director of the Organising Committee -. This event involves the community of the whole valley and we’ve received wonderful feedback from the sports institutions operating in the area. How did we get here? With determination, foresight, and the strength and will to believe».
These two races will represent an important moment for the movement represented in Trentino by FISI Provincial Committee’s Tiziano Mellarini. «If we came to this result, it’s thanks to what has been done in the past years, with the project Piste Azzurre, born in 2006, and with all the international events, last but not least the Junior Championships in 2019 – explained Mellarini -. In that occasion, Val di Fassa realised it was ready for a World Cup race. Its organisational and technical value is crucial and must be taken into account, hoping that late February’s event will bring other young people closer to this sport».
Over the last weekend of February, the public’s attention will be focused on the bigwigs of ski, who will give life to two days full of high technical and competitive content, with points of crucial importance at stake for the athletes vying for the super-G World Cup, as well as for the overall lead. The competition venue will be the tried and tested slope of La VolatA.
«We’ve had this long-cherished project since 2011– explained Mauro Vendruscolo, chairmen of Alpe Lusia – San Pellegrino ropeway group-. It has stood still for some years and then, thanks to the project Piste Azzurre and to the Junior Championships, we mustered the courage and started working on this slope, with the support of Trentino Marketing. We thought about a ski exercise trainer for speed disciplines, consulting coaches and specialists. This slope is now a source of pride for the whole valley».
A proud expressed also by FISi vice-president Francesco Bettoni and by the chairman of Comun General de Fascia Giuseppe Detomas, whose speech was followed by those of Energia Pura’s founder Alberto Olivetto (who conceived an eco-friendly uniform for the organising committee and the volunteers) and of the vice-president of Fassa, Primiero, and Belluno Bank Maurizio Bonelli, whose institution supported the purchase of all the official clothing. Also present in the room was CONI Trentino’s chairwoman Paola Mora.
Now the floor goes to the athletes. On Val di Fassa World Cup’s agenda, the opening of the two-day event on Friday night in Moena, with the World Cup Opening Parade at 6 p.m., then, on Saturday 24^th of February, the first super-G, starting at 11 a.m., and at 6 p.m. the prize-giving ceremony and bib delivery on the square in Moena. On Sunday 25^th, at 11 a.m., it’s time for the second super-G, with prize-giving ceremony on La VolatA’s parterre.
The current super-G ranking has the Swiss Lara Gut-Behrami, who won both the downhill races held on La VolatA in 2021, at the top with 320 points, followed by the Austrian Cornelia Huetter (310) and, at 246, the Italian Federica Brignone, capable to put her mark precisely on Val di Fassa’s super-G, two years ago. In fourth place another Italian, Sofia Goggia (237 points), who in 2021 was injured. From Trentino, the skier Laura Pirovano, fresh from a sixth place in Cortina’s downhill a few days ago, and from the seventh place in Val d’Isere’s super-G in December, whereas the local athlete Monica Zanoner won’t be at the starting gate, due to a severe accident in Europa Cup, which caused the fracture of her femur.
Regarding women’s overall ranking, with six competitions to go, the American Mikaela Shiffrin is leading with 1209 points. Currently injured, she counts on coming back as soon as possible. Follows by the Swiss Lara Gut-Behrami, in a state of grace these weeks, and Federica Brignone in third place, with 878 points, whereas fifth is Sofia Goggia, with 792.

30 days left to the big appointment with the Alpine Ski World Cup, which for the second time will liven up Val di Fassa’s slopes and, more precisely, the track «La VolatA», on which Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th of February, two Women’s super-G races will be held.
For this Ladin valley, which in February 2021 (in the midst of a pandemic) already organised three stages of the top circuit as rescheduling of three events postponed during that season, it’s a significant confirmation and the crowning of a dream nurtured for over thirty years. On the slopes of the Ladin valley, the first historic competitions came alive, in the early Nineties its technical tracks were chosen for the training sessions of a legend such as Alberto Tomba, and since the 2000s, the local ski clubs have raised its organisational standard, undertaking as many as 40 Europa Cup races in special slalom, giant slalom, super-G, downhill, and even ski cross, a Universiade in 2013, the Junior World Championships in 2019, together with a 17 year-long commitment with the project «Piste Azzurre», with Val di Fassa as training centre of the Italian national team, but also of foreign teams.
The two-day World Cup of February 24^th and 25^th, therefore, doesn’t come by chance, but it’s the result of an extraordinary journey, made of expertise, dynamism, investments, and a lot of passion. For all the enthusiasts, it will be an opportunity to see the winner of the last overall World Cup, the American Mikaela Shiffrin, at work, as well as the Swiss Lara Gut Behrami, second in 2023, first in super-G, and winner of the two downhill races held in Val di Fassa in 2021. With them, the Italian Federica Brignone, third overall in the last season and ruler of the super-G closing the three days of race in 2021, and Sofia Goggia, with four downhill crystal globes in her personal palmarès and motivated more than ever to be the star of this discipline once again. Among the awaited stars there should have been also the young local athlete Monica Zanoner, who unfortunately got injured recently in Orcieres’ downhill race, getting a femur fracture, and to whom all the staff of Val di Fassa World Cup and all the fans of her beloved valley wish a fast recovery.
Val di Fassa is thus ready to face a new and exciting challenge, thanks to the extraordinary organisational team play, which involves, firstly, «Val di Fassa Major Events Company», Val di Fassa Tourist Board, San Pellegrino Ski Area, and the professionals from the three ski clubs operating in the area, Ski Team Fassa, US Monti Pallidi, and FassActive, as well as the local five ski schools: Italian Ski School Moena Dolomiti, Italian Ski School Vajolet Pozza di Fassa, Italian Ski School Vigo di Fassa and Passo Costalunga, Italian Ski School Canazei Marmolada, and Italian Ski School Campitello. But also the Alpine School, the 5^th athlete unit of the Finance Police of Predazzo, and the State Police Alpine Training Centre of Moena.

PRESS CONFERENCE ON FEBRUARY 1^st
The Organising Committee of Val di Fassa Ski World Cup 2024 will present the programme and news about the events of February 24^th and 25^th next Thursday, on February 1^st, in Sala Consiglio (5^th floor) of Gruppo Itas Assicurazioni, in Piazza delle Donne Lavoratrici, 2a in Trento, in the district «Le Albere».

GALLERY TICKETS ONLINE
Those who want to enjoy the two-day World Cup in Val di Fassa can already purchase the tickets online on the website www.valdifassaskiworldcup.it

MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Journalists, photographers, cameramen and media who would like to be accredited for the two-day World Cup in Val di Fassa, can request authorisation in the media section on the website www.valdifassaskiworldcup.it, via the eventbuilder platform.

Russian ransom during the second European Cup Super-G on the slope La VolatA in the ski area San Pellegrino. After ranking second the previous day, Julia Pleshkova has been able to stop the clock at 1’14”68 and to win the race with a great performance, on the same track of the World Cup.
But the merry surprise has made Italy happy, thanks to the 26-year-old skier from Monte San Pietro, Karoline Pichler, able to understand the track drawn by the French coach Emilien Astier, and to conclude the race second, behind by no more than 11 hundredths.
A great performance for the athlete of the Fiamme Oro, who has demonstrated to be determined and fluid in her action, brushing even the victory.
On the third stage of the podium, the Austrian Sabrina Maier, behind the South-Tyrolean athlete by 14 hundredths. But that’s not all, as the athlete from Gardena Nadia Delago has demonstrated to appreciate the slope very much (where she had already won once in the European Cup and had ranked second in 2019), improving from the first race of Tuesday and concluding fourth by 48 hundredths from the podium.
Behind them, the Austrian Nadine Fest, the Swiss Stephanie Jenal (sixth) who has nibbled important points from her teammate Jasmina Suter (eighth at the arrival) and now the two athletes in the general ranking of the Super-G are detached by 2 points only: 252 Jasmina and 250 Stephanie.
Speaking about the Italians, Jole Galli has ranked 28th, Vicky Bernardi 30th, Federica Sosio 36th, Ilaria Ghisalberti 38th, Vittoria Capellini 40th, Elisa Schranzhofer 43rd. Amelia Rigatti Di Grazia has ranked 71st.
Double victory among the U18 for the Austrian Ranalter Magdalena, born in 2003 and recovering in the general ranking. Among the juniors, the best has been the Austrian Magdalena Egger (seventh in the all-ranking), then the Swiss Delia Durrer and the Austrian Emily Schoepf.

Switzerland confirms its supremacy in the speed events and seems to have found a particular feeling with the slope La VolatA. After Lara Gut-Berhami’s last week-end victories in the World Cup downhill races, which have marked the debut of Val di Fassa and of the ski area San Pellegrino, Jasmina Suter has won the first of the two European Cup Super-G races, scheduled on the same slope that hosted Federica Brignone’s victory on Sunday.

Another beautiful sunny day has greeted 91 athletes from 18 countries, who have competed on the course set by the Italian national team coach Daniel Dorigo. Rainer Senoner was on slope as FIS technical delegate, assisted by the race director Marco Costazza, while the race was organized by the expert staff of the Ski Team Fassa.

The first of the two SuperG has been won by the Swiss Jasmina Suter (1'13."78), at her second victory in the continental circuit, who has also conquered the top of the Super G ranking with 220 points, 10 points more than her teammate Stephanie Jenal (210), who today ranked 3^rd, behind her compatriot by 65 hundredths.

In-between the two, by 63 hundredths, a surprising performance of the Russian Julia Pleshkova, who has conquered her first European Cup podium.

The best among the Italian athletes has been Nadia Delago, who has conquered a respectful eighth place (at 1"41) starting with bib 41. The other South-Tyrolean athlete Karoline Pichler has been the first at the gate and ranked 15th, while Jole Galli has ranked 27^th behind by 3 seconds and 1 hundredths, followed by Teresa Runggaldier - who follows her father’s footsteps - who has ranked 32nd, and by Vittoria Capellini, 37th with bib number 87. The Austrian Magdalena Ranalter, born in 2003, has ranked first among the under 18.

Tomorrow another SuperG, also valid for the European Cup, will take place on La VolatA.

The debut of the Val di Fassa in the Ski World Cup has been a positive one. The resort had been asked to replace the women races cancelled in Yanqing and then also the one scheduled in St. Moritz and first and in Garmisch-Partenkirchen afterwards, during a 5-day event that began on Wednesday, February 24th and came to an end on Sunday, February 28th and has collected positive feedbacks both from the 15 national teams taking part in the races and from FIS and FISI. The event, moreover, has ensured a huge media coverage to the whole area. Icing on the cake has been brought by the first seasonal victory of Federica Brignone and by the achievement of the Super-G World Cup by Lara Gut-Behrami, after the extraordinary two victories in the downhill races, which have brought her on top of the World Cup overall ranking list.

Andrea Weiss, president of the Organising Committee, has been the first to take stock: “The evaluation is positive, no doubt, this was an important test for us to obtain accreditation in the World Cup circuit, taking advantage of this opportunity that we have been given and that we have been able to make true in just 80 days. And this is why we must thank over 250 people who have committed themselves during these days to put on stage our skills. No doubt, the professionalism inherited from several years of European Cup races by the Ski Team Fassa - headed by Leonardo Bernard ( with the help of the two other ski clubs Monti Pallidi and Fassactive) and above all on occasion of the lucky edition of the 2019 Junior World Ski Championships that had a valuable team and was guided by Davide Moser (who has an important role in this team too), have given us the possibility to face in the best way this first challenge in the top circuit. Also essential has been the collaboration of the ski area San Pellegrino with Mauro Vendruscolo, Renzo Minella and Mattia Giongo, as well as the fundamental work done by the event manager Cristoforo Debertol. I am also pleased to highlight the precious role of the race director, Rainer Senoner, and of the race judge Lorenzo Conci, who have come from Val Gardena and from Trentino to make their significant expertise in the World Cup races at our disposal for this new organisation”.

Something to smile for in this difficult year for the mountain universe: “ This success brings a bit of satisfaction in a complicated year to our community. Due to the pandemic we have gained an opportunity that we have been chasing for 30 years and several volunteers have answered to our call to ensure a positive outcome of the event, being home from the work. And the biggest acknowledgement goes to their extraordinary helpfulness».

Which the first comments? “I have collected satisfied reports - Weiss goes on -. This debut has ensured us the acknowledgement from the national teams and from FIS and we are very happy about this. The three days have even come to an end with the victory of an Italian athlete, which is strategic from a communicative point of view. We have been very sorry for the two injured athletes in the Super G, Kajsa Vickhoff Lie and the Austrian Rosina Schneeberger, who have both gone already under surgery in Innsbruck. On behalf of the whole Val di Fassa, I wish them a quick recovery, we hope to see them soon again on our slopes».

And now? “First we have to keep together the staff and the people who have committed to the event, and we have to confirm our availability both to the FISI president Flavio Roda and to the president of FISI Trentino Tiziano Mellarini, as well as to the International Ski Federation, with which we will talk very soon. On Tuesday, March 2nd and on Wednesday, March 3rd, already, we will host two European Cup Super G on La VolatA”.

Satisfaction from Peter Gerdol (FIS) too

At the end of the event, also the World Cup director Peter Gerdol has had positive words: “It is never easy to debut in this circuit for an organising committee, especially when you have to set everything in two months. We at FIS are very satisfied of the organizational machine of the Val di Fassa, our evaluation is really positive. Everything worked. Of course, there are some small details that needs to be improved and we will analyse them with the friends from Val di Fassa at the end of the season, during a dedicated briefing. But we are very satisfied, both from the technical and from the logistic side. For sure, the wonderful weather and the lack of public have helped”.

Which could be the future of the Val di Fassa in the World Cup? “The World Cup calendars are scheduled up to 2024 - Gerdol says. - but these are drafts, which were rarely changed in the past. But the current situation could bring some changes.

An extraordinary media coverage

These three days of World Cup have brought a huge media coverage, also thanks to Federica Brignone’s victory. 16 international TVs have passed the races, and several sport and general news of the main channels have spoken about this sport weekend in Val di Fassa, in Trentino. The races have reached China, the States, Asia, Canada.

On the spot, 30 accredited journalists from the main sport journals, websites and TV: in addition to the numerous Italian professionals, there were Swiss and Austrian colleagues, but also some professionals from France, Germany, UK, Slovenia and Czech Republic.

Federica Brignone finds the perfect day and breaks Switzerland domination in Val di Fassa, giving herself as a present the sixteenth triumph of her careeer in World Cup, the first one of the season.

The thirty-year-old athlete from Val d'Aosta rediscovers how to perfectly ski in Super-G, the race that closes the three-day World Cup event in Passo San Pellegrino and matches Deborah Compagnoni's record of victories in the top international circuit. Her success makes today the perfect day for the whole Italian Ski team, with Elena Curtoni, Francesca Marsaglia and Marta Bassino far from podium only for a few hundredths, ranking rispectively fourth, fifth and sixth in final standings.

And, after the two downhill victories on Friday and Saturday, Lara Gut-Behrami finished second today at 59 hundredths from Federica Brignone. She nevertheless can celebrate the conquest of the Super-G crystal globe in advance, together with a widening of the gap in the overall standing. The Super-G and giant new world champion will get to the Lenzerheide finals with 187 points ahead of the Slovak Petra Vhlova (today only 32^nd) and 335 from Michelle Gisin, third right ahead of Marta Bassino, fourth with 790 points.

Today the glory goes to Federica Brignone who finally redeems the disappointment of the last Cortina Championships, showing that she is still able to ski at her best, to draw perfect turns and to win. Her performance is perfect also on the sliding parts of the track, less congenial to her. She has made the difference in the most technical part of the slope, drawing ideal lines on the Muri del Poeta, where she recites her own ode to the skiing technique.

The gap inflicted, 59 hundredths, on the athlete of the moment, Lara Gut-Behrami, proves how great her trial has been today. The third position goes to Corinne Suter (SUI), behind by 72 hundredths, always on the podium in all the three Val di Fassa races.

Behind there is the rest of the Italian team. Elena Curtoni is fourth, just 6 hundredths from the top three, Francesca Marsaglia ranked fifth at 0"83 and Marta Bassino sixth at 0"86. This latter has scored excellent intermediate times for three quarters of the race but has lost all the advantage in the final stretch. A good overall result at home for the Italian team with also Roberta Melesi finishing in 18^th position. Fortieth Teresa Runggaldier from Val Gardena, while Laura Pirovano from Trentino(eighth and fifth in the previous downhills) went off the track in the central stretch of the slope, like Nadia Delago and Federica Sosio did.

Two bad falls occured to the Norwegian Kajsa Vickhoff Lie and the Rosina Schneeberger, (AUT), causing a double interruption of the race.The two athletes were brought by the rescue helicopters of Aiut Alpin Dolomites and 118 to the Trento hospital, both with a tibia fibula fracture.

To them go all the best wishes to recover soon from all the other athletes who praise and thank at the same time the Organization headed by by Andrea Weiss, who proved to be up to the task and is now willing to go on with the work set in the last recent years. His goal is to try to find for Val di Fassa an increasingly larger space in the skiing international race calendar.

In this sense, the two European Cup races scheduled for the next few days also take on value. Val di Fassa and the La VolatA slope, in fact, will be protagonist again on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 March, with two Super-G races in the continental circuit.

The interviews

The winner Federica Brignone welcomed her success with great satisfaction. «Today I finally suceeded in bringing all the best I was doing in training also while racing.- she says - I was feeling well and in good shape, I was also having good sensations while skiing. But untill yesterday important results hadn’t come and this was becoming very frustrating to me as I was not able explain it to myself. At the beginning of the season, I got good placements even if I wasn’t skiing well. Recently it was happening right the opposite. Until yesterday. Succeeding in getting sixteen victories like Deborah Compagnoni is of great satisfaction for me. Nevertheless I must confess that I am not completely satisfied and that I do not believe that I’am at the end of my journey. I still have many dreams to accomplish and I won’t let poor results to influence me too much as it has been happening in this period. Living badly for less podiums is not worth it ».

«These were three wonderful days of competition but also very hard to face in rapid succession. - explains Lara Gut-Behrami, ranked second today - Now I feel very tired and can't wait to rest for a few days to recharge the batteries. As for the Lenzerheide finals, anything could happen: the snow will change, athletes are all quite tired now and it’s hard to make any predictions. As far as I'm concerned I'll just try to ski at my best ».

«I close this transfer to Val di Fassa with three podiums, a second and two third positions, - declares Corinne Suter - therefore I will remember it with great joy. I have found myself at ease on this track again today, the snow was perfect and I have felt excellent sensations. As for the two athletes injured today, I believe that both were skiing too aggressively on a track with excellent snow conditions.»

«In the Super-G of the combined race at the Cortina World Championships I have made peace with this discipline - explains Elena Curtoni, ranked fourth today - I liked this race so much, because it has many turns and technical stretches, ideal track for all the Italian athletes. Today I have really enjoyed the race but I’m a little bit disappointed for the mistake I made that has costed me one of the first positions. We hope to come back to compete here ».

«I wanted to leave Val di Fassa holding something in my hands, after two unsatisfaying downhill trainings and today I finally picked up some results. - says Francesca Marsaglia, fifth today - I’m a little bit disappointed for the podium missed for a few hundredths but I found this Super-G one of the funniest I have ever faced in my career.»

Lara Gut-Behrami wins also the second of the Val di Fassa downhills and is now leading the overall World Cup ranking. She is still running also for the conquest of the downhill cup that she could be able to win with an additional victory in the last downhill scheduled at the finals in Lenzerheide, pulling out the scepter from the injured Sofia Goggia’s hands.

The downhill cup is also within Corinne Suter’s reach, the new world champion and second today at 32 hundredths from her teammate, after a third place on yesterday’s race, and the German Kira Weidle (GER) third at 0"68 to complete the podium.

Laura Pirovano missed the podium only for eleven hundredths and she was the best of the Italians once again, finishing fifth ex-aequo with the Norwegian Kajsa Vickhoff Lie. The 23-year-old from Spiazzo Rendena in Trentino, eighth in yesterday’s race, is quite satisfied with her performance but also a little bit disappointed to miss her first podium for such a small time gap especially on the home track. She has paid a lot for the delay accumulated in the upper part of the track even if she was able to recover ground in the final stretch, rigth after the Muro del Poeta wall.

The La VolatA slope seems to be tailor-made for the World Cup leader Lara Gut-Behrami, always making the difference in the most technical parts of the track, slightly losing something only in the final part.

This is the 32^nd success in her career in the World Cup, the eleventh in downhill, confirming her strenght and extraordinary conditions. After two golden medals at the Cortina Champs in Super-G and Giant Slalom, the Swiss skier continues her triumph toward her second overall crystal globe.

As expected, Lara Gut-Behrami has also won the challenge against her direct competitor Petra Vhlova who ranked twelfth today and is now behind 107 points in the overall ranking. A gap which is supposed to increase tomorrow after the Super-G that will close the three-day event of Val di Fassa.

As far as the Downhill Cup is concerned Sofia Goggia is still the leader with 480 points, followed by Corinne Suter (second with 410 points) and Lara Gut-Behrami (third with 383 points). Breezy Johnson has to give up to her dreams of victory as today she has gone off the track on the Muro del Poeta wall, fortunately without consequences.

The other Italian athletes racing today were Elena Curtoni from Valtellina, with bib no. 1, who ranked tenth at 1”01, while Nicole Delago from Valgardena finished in thirteenth position, with a delay of 1”31, not fully satisfied with her performance (on the La Volata slope she got a victory and a second place in the 2019 European Cup).

A little bit further on there are Federica Brignone, twenty-third, Marta Bassino twenty-fourth (today it was her 25^th birthday) and Francesca Marsaglia twenty-fifth. The top 30 is closed by Roberta Melesi, while the debuting Teresa Runggaldier (daughter the ski champion Peter) is thirty-eighth, followed by Federica Sosio in forty-sixth position.

Tomorrow the last race of the Val di Fassa Ski World Cup, a Super-G organized by Ski Team Fassa too, is scheduled at 11.00 a.m., live on Rai 2, Raisport and Eurosport.

«Compared to yesterday the track was slower and the visibility worse, so it was necessary to choose the best lines possible, skiing smoothly,, which I did best- explains the winner Lara Gut-Behrami - In the last few weeks I have collected important results, it is a very good period for me also thanks to some conditions that cannot be planned together with a little bit of luck. Tomorrow I will try to do my best also in Super-G, where it is important to be able to draw very narrow lines. It could also turn out to be a very special day for me with the conquest of the Super-G Cup ».

«Today the snow was different from yesterday - confirms Corinne Suter - and it was easier for me to get a good time. I am very happy with this second position behind Lara who is always very fast. In this period of the season she is doing very well, her conditions are really impressive. As for the downhill cup, I wish I could win it, of course, but I don't think much about it. I feel really well and I will have another chance to prove it in the last decisive race. And the finals at home, in Switzerland, make me even more confident ».

«I have made many mistakes but I finally succeeded in getting a third place that satisfies me a lot, also because it follows yesterday's fourth position - says the Kira Weidle (Ger) - Considering also my second position in the World Championships, I am experiencing an excellent period and I hope it will continue until the end of the season. Tomorrow, in Super-G, I hope to be able to take some advantage of what I experienced on this track in the last few days».

»I’m very happy with this fifth position, - says Laura Pirovano - as I was yesterday for the eighth one. In training I was not so fast and my feelings were not so good for these two races. I must add, however, that I was off the podium for a few hundredths and this leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, which in no way cancels the satisfaction for these two placements. I got too much delay in the upper part of the track while I have skied better in the lower Part. The visibility was not perfect but checking on video my former performance has helped me to remember all the passages ».

It’s Lara Gut-Behrami to celebrate today’s debut of Val di Fassa in the Fis Alpine Ski World Cup. The new Super-G world champion in fact won the first of three races scheduled on the La VolatA slope in Passo San Pellegrino, a track really appreciated by all the athletes racing that has rewarded the strongest one .

For the Swiss champion this is the thirty-first victory of her career in the top international circuit, the tenth in downhill. A success that has allowed her to take the lead in the overall World Cup, held untill this morning by the Slovak Petra Vhlova, ninth today.

Lara Gut-Behrami, who started with the bib number 7, has made the difference in the upper and in the final part of the track, succeeding in keeping behind her Ramona Siebenhofer (Aut) only for 2 hundredths and the teammate Corinne Suter for 26 hundredths, this latter golden medal in downhill at the recent Cortina World Champs. Fourth ranked Kira Weidle, followed by the American Breezy Johnson, first yesterday in the second official training.

The best of the Italian team was Laura Pirovano, the athlete from Spiazzo Rendena in Trentino, who has found the right feeling on the home slope, on the race day, confirming what she had already shown throughout the whole racing season.

Elena Curtoni was out of the top ten for only 5 hundredths, eleventh at 1”17, while Nadia Delago, the athlete from South Tyrol, who on this slope had already got a victory and a second position in the 2019 European Cup, ranked sixteenth right ahead of Federica Brignone. Francesca Marsaglia finished in twenty-first position while Marta Bassino ranked twenty-ninth, all anyway gaining important points for the final standings. Roberta Melesi was thirty-fourth and Teresa Runggaldier, daughter of the great ski champion Peter, finished in the thirty-ninth position, surely a very special day for her as she was debuting in the Ski World Cup. The last Italian athlete competing today, Federica Sosio, did not finish her race as she went off in the central part of the track.

The official trainings on Wednesday and Friday had already made clear that the fight for victory would have been hard, with the first five athletes all ranked in a time gap of 36 hundredths. Today small details have made the difference, awarding one of the most talented athlete of the circuit, Lara Gut-Behrami. This strong Swiss champion, three-medal winner in the last Cortina World Champs, was able to interpret the Val di Fassa slope in the best possibile way and took another important step towards her seasonal goal, the conquest of the overall World Cup. Now she leads the overall standing with 1,047 points, 29 ahead of Petra Vhlova, with good chance to widen the gap in the next two days. In the third position, with 836 points, Michelle Gisin, today ninth ex aequo with Petra Vhlova, while Marta Bassino is fourth with 743 points.

The downhill World Cup ranking, with two more races in calender, is still in the hands of the Italian Sofia Goggia, who leads the ranking with 480 points, 150 ahead of Corinne Suter (Sui) and Breezy Johnson (USA), both in second position with 330 points. Lara Gut-Behrami is fourth with 283 points, but she is still fighting for the trophy that she could conquer with two more victories in the two races left.

The Super-G world champion is also the favorite for tomorrow’s race which will start at 11.00 a.m., live on Rai 2, Raisport and Eurosport.

Interviews:

«It is an easy track to interpret - explains the winner Lara Gut-Behrami – but it is easy, at the same time, to loose precious tenths. Smoothness counts a lot. In short, it is necessary to find the right compromise between the lines and the ability to let the skis go as fast as possible. As a matter of fact I succeded in doing this. As for the snow, today I found it in better conditions than in the last two days, also because the sun heats the track only up to the first gate. Tomorrow we hope to find the same excellent conditions ».

«I immediately had an excellent feeling with this track - says Ramona Siebenhofer, second in ranking – and I have alwaysbeen trying to maintain a good speed. I have good sensations also for the next races and I hope I can convert these positive feelings into a good time tomorrow. I'm happy to have another try on this track which I really like. The Italian races bring me good luck, with four podiums out of five in the World Cup in my whole career ».

«I had studied the track well while training and I think I have interpreted today's race well, - declares Corinne Suter, third today – I knew I had to adapt to softer snow in the upper part and to a harder one in the central part of the track. I believe that tomorrow I can do even better. As for the overall downhill ranking, I honestly do not think much abouti it but I only try to ski at my best. We will see in the end. By now, I am already fully satisfied with my season ».

«Today I did my best to try to finish in the top ten - explains Laura Pirovano, eighth and first of the Italians - and this is a great satisfaction for me. Races like this one, in which lines are not as much important as letting the skis go, do not suit my characteristics. This is also the reason why I am satisfied with the eighth position. Now we will watch and analyse my performance trying to find out how to improve for tomorrow’s challenge».

The American Breezy Johnson has set the best time in the second and last timed official training of the Downhill of Val di Fassa, the resort at its debut in the Fis Alpine Ski World Cup that will host two Downhill and a Super-G races on the La VolatA slope in Passo San Pellegrino, replacements of the races previously cancelled in Garmisch-Partnekirchen and in Yanqing in China.

With a second place in yesterday’s first training session, today the 25-year-old American athlete has confirmed to feel at ease with this technical track, booking also a place on the podium, in the day in which also Federica Brignone has done very good, ranking eighth, the best of the Italian team, with a delay of 0”80 from the American.

Breezy Johnson, who has already collected four third places in the Fis Alpine Ski World Cup this year, will be certainly chasing her first success in the top international circuit, mainly thanks to the good sensations she has experienced in these two training sessions. In fact the American skier has considerably lowered the time set yesterday by Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (1’25"14), with the time of 1’24"77. Behind her, Ramona Siebenhofer (Austria) at 23 hundredths and Marie-Michèle Gagnon (Canada) at 26 hundredths, other two expected protagonists of the week-end races, followed by the downhill world vice-champion Kira Weidle (Germany) fourth at 0"46.

The world champion Corinne Suter (Switzerland) ranked tenth with a delay of 0"89 while her teammate Lara Gut-Behrami was able to do a bit better, still on the way to win the overall Ski World Cup. The Cortina Super-G gold medal winner, bronze medal also in Downhill at the recent Fis Alpine Ski World Championships, ranked sixth at 0"74, preceding by a few hundredths the Norwegian Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (the best one in yesterday’s first training session) and Federica Brignone who has proved to be very competitive on this Val di Fassa technical track and in speed races, in general.

Taking a look at the other Italian athletes, Elena Curtoni was twelfth at 1”01 and Nadia Delago fourteenth. The 23-year-old from Val Gardena, fourth yesterday, set the best time in the upper part of the track but made a mistake at the beginning of the wall in the second part. The Italian athlete from South Tyrol, who got a victory and a second place in the Fis Alpine Ski European Cup in January 2019, has nevertheless shown to have found the right set-up, aspiring to a prestigious result on the snow of Passo San Pellegrino.

Francesca Marsaglia ranked eighteenth at 1"50, Laura Pirovano twenty-sixth at 1"76, Elena Dolmen thirty-fifth, Federica Sosio thirty-seventh, Roberta Melesi thirty-eighth and Marta Bassino thirty-ninth, Teresa Runggaldier forty-fourth, all of them with a time gap not higher than two seconds.

Tomorrow, on Friday 26 February, the first of the two downhill races is scheduled, starting at 11.45 a.m., live TV on Raisport and Eurosport, and points determinant will be assigned to award both the overall Fis Alpine Ski World Cup and the Downhill one, this latter currently still in the hands of Sofia Goggia (480 points), followed in the standings by Corinne Suter (Switzerland) with 285 points and the American Breezy Johnson (270 points).

The Val di Fassa Ski World Cup races live on 16 international Tv channels, from the United States to Asia

The three-day event of the Val di Fassa Fis Ski World Cup, at its debut in the top international circuit, will represent an important promotional opportunity for the whole resort gaining top level media visibility all over the world. Sixteen international Tv channels will broadcast live the races scheduled on the snow of Passo San Pellegrino, with broacasters from different countries and continents such as Austria (Orf), Canada (Cbc), China (Cctv), Czech Republic (Czech TV), Europe (Eurosport), Germany (Ard), Italy (Rai), Norway (Nrk), Slovakia (Rtvs) , Slovenia (Rtv Slovenia), Sweden (Svt), Switzerland (Srf, Rsi, Rts, in German, Italian and French), United States (Nbc) and Asia (Eurosport).

The Italian Rai Tv will broadcast all the races: on Friday 26 Feb. downhill live from 11.45 a.m. to 12.55 p.m. on Rai 2 and Raisport channels, on the same channels the downhill scheduled on Saturday 27 Feb. (from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.) and the Super-G on Sunday 28 Feb. (from 11.00 a.m. to 12.05 p.m. on Rai 2 channel, from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. on Raisport channel).

The young Norwegian Kajsa Vickhoff Lie set the fastest time in the first timed official training session of the downwhill of Val di Fassa, at its debut in the Fis Alpine Ski World Cup with a three-day event, the first official one after the recent World Championships in Cortina. After conquering the first podium of her career in the World Cup (on Jan. 30 in the Super-G in Garmisch-Partenkirchen), the fifth place in the Super-G and the sixteenth place in the Downhill at the recent Cortina World Championships, the 22-year-old Lie has confirmed herself as one of the most interesting emerging talents of the Ski World Cup circuit. In fact she obtained the best time on the technical La VolatA slope that particularly suits to her characteristics.

The Scandinavian athlete completed her trial in 1'25″14, ahead two of the favorites ones, the American Breezy Johnson, 41 hundredths behind, and the Swiss Lara Gut-Behrami, who missed a gate paying a delay of 46 hundredths.

On the home slope, already tested before the World Championships, the Italian athletes also impressed, above all the 23-year-old Nadia Delago from Val Gardena, who obtained an excellent fourth place at 61 hundredths from the Nowegian Lie.

The Swiss downhill world champion Corinne Suter finished seventh with a delay of 92 hundredths. Together with the American Breezy Johnson she is still struggling for the Downhill cup, third with 270 points in the standing still headed by the injured Sofia Goggia (480 points), followed by Breezy Johnson second with 285 points.

A little further back the other Italian athletes. Elena Curtoni was the fastest one, placing 18^th, 1”66 behind, followed by Federica Brignone (19^th at 1”73) and Marta Bassino (20^th at 1 ”79). 23^rd at 2"03 Laura Pirovano, who started with bib number 1, 31^stFederica Sosio (at 2"46), Francesca Marsaglia who ranked 33^rd at 2"55, Teresa Runggaldier (daughter of the great ski champion Peter) 37^th at 2”82. Federica Sosio and Teresa Runggaldier are still competing for a place in the weekend races together with Elena Dolmen (46^th at 3”81) while Roberta Melesi finished 59^th at 6” 60. Sixty were the athletes coming from 15 different countries who tested the slope of the Passo San Pellegrino Ski Area.

Tomorrow the second official timed training is scheduled at 10.15 a.m. From Friday to Sunday (two downhills and a super-G) Downhill World Cup points will be at stake.

After the Cortina Fis Alpine Ski World Championships, the gotha of international skiing heads towards Val di Fassa, where two Women Downhill races and a Super-G will take place from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 February, to replace the races previously cancelled rispectively in Garmisch Partenkirchen and in Yanqing in China.

This three-day races event will be the debut of the La VolatA slope in the Passo San Pellegrino ski area in the top international circuit, after the past experiences of the European Cup and, above all, after the successful edition of the 2019 Fis Junior Alpine Ski World Championships.

Val di Fassa will also host the first official outing of the new world champions Corinne Suter and Lara Gut-Behrami who respectively won the Cortina Downhill and the Super-G races, giving to Switzerland a double triumph.

The Swiss champion Lara Gut-Behrami, on the podium also with a bronze medal in Downhill at the Cortina Fis Alpine Ski World Championships, is also getting ready to celebrate the conquest of the Super-G crystal ball right on the Val di Fassa snow, with 195 points ahead of Corinne Suter, second in the standings. The latter, in turn, has good chances to win the Downhill cup, currently still in the hands of the injured Sofia Goggia (480 points), followed by the American Breezy Johnson (285) and by Corinne Suter herself (270) in the standings.

The American and Swiss athletes are also the main candidates for success in the Val di Fassa races, where all the Cortina medal winners are competing, except for Mikaela Shiffrin who won the bronze medal in the Super-G competition.

And apart from the above mentioned Corinne Suter, Lara Gut-Behrami and Breezy Johnson, the other Swiss athlete Michelle Gisin (in Cortina rispectively fifth in the downhill and eighth the in Super-G rankings) and the German Kira Weidle (silver medal in the last Cortina Fis Alpine Ski World Championships) also have the numbers to do well, together with the Slovenian Ilka Stuhec and the Canadian Marie Michele Gagnon, just to name a few, without forgetting the competitive Austrian Team athletes, led by Tamara Tippler.

The Italian athletes, who trained on the La VolatA slope to prepare the World Championship, will try to enjoy at best the home-slope advantage. The winner of the gold medal in the Cortina Parallel Giant Slalom Marta Bassino and Federica Brignone will be able to aspire to a prestigious result on a technical track like the La VolatA one, especially in Super-G, together with Elena Curtoni (ranked eighth in the Cortina Downhill, best of the Italian skiers), Francesca Marsaglia and the 23-year-old Laura Pirovano, in constant growth, twice close to the podium in this season and recently twelfth in the World Championship Downhill.

«Competing at home - says Laura - is a great opportunity for me and I hope that Val di Fassa will become a fixed step in the Fis Alpine Ski World Cup. I am sure the organization will be at the top. As far as the slope is concerned, it is very technical. There are many steep sections, blind spots and bumps. It's not an easy track and I'm happy with that. One needs to know really how to ski. I particularly like the last final wall to be interpreted in the best way possible to maintain speed in the final stretch».

For Italy seven will be the athletes competing, Marta Bassino, Federica Brignone, Elena Curtoni, Nadia Delago, Francesca Marsaglia, Roberta Melesi and Laura Pirovano, while other four ones Elena Dolmen, Giulia Albano, Federica Sosio and Teresa Runggaldier will fight to obtain the two remaining places in each of the races still available for the Italian Team.

The slope La VolatA has been perfectly prepared thanks to the great work carried out in the recent weeks by the local staff coordinated by the race directors Rainer Senoner and Cesare Pastore.

«The track is not very long but particularly technical - highlighted the director of the Women World Cup Peter Gerdol - It has all the important elements for a fast race, from the plane to the jump, to the steepest part and the counter slopes. A race where only top level athletes will surely win ».

The long run of Val di Fassa to get to the Fis Alpine Ski World Cup races is now coming to a new perspective. An ambition which had started with Alberto Tomba as Val di Fassa ambassador and has gone on with other important steps such as the over twenty editions of the Ski European Cup, the 2019 Junior Ski Championships, the “Piste Azzurre” project since 2006 and the valley ski champions all winners in the Fis Alpine Ski World Cup races (A. Weiss, C. Costazza, C. Deville and S. Gross). And last but not least, this event turns out to be an outstanding media opportunity to gain visibility in a very difficult season for the entire winter touristic sector all over the world.

After hosting the Fis Alpine Ski European Cup in 2018 and 2019 and the fast races of the 2019 Fis Junior Alpine Ski World Championships, the La VolatA slope is ready for its debut in the Fis Alpine Ski World Cup for a three-day event of the top international circuit taking place from 26 to 28 February in Val di Fassa.

The two Downhill races and the Super-G scheduled on the snow of the Passo San Pellegrino Ski Area will represent the first appointment after the Fis Alpine Ski World Championships of Cortina and the first official outing for the two new world champions Corinne Suter and Lara Gut Behrami.

The athletes who have had the opportunity to test the La VolatA track before the World Championships, the athletes of the Italian Ski Team and the Swiss champion Michelle Gisin have really appreciated the technical features of the track as a a guarantee of great spectacularity.

Michelle Gisin is one of the most awaited athlete competing in Val di Fassa, running for the conquest of the overall Alpine Ski World Cup and protagonist in the last Fis Alpine Ski World Championships where she won the bronze medal in the Alpine Combined, obtained a fourth place in the Super-G and a fifth place in the Downhill. "It was important for me to do two days of training on the La VolatA slope - claimed Michelle Gisin - At first glance it was not of easy interpretation but after the second training session I felt immediately at ease. The upper part is flatter, then there are changes in slope and bumps. I think that a really interesting race will come out of it».

"The La VolatA is a beautiful slope - said Marta Bassino who has just conquered the world championship title in Parallel Giant Slalom - I have already had the opportunity to try the track several times while training and during the last Italian Alpine Ski Championships. I am so happy that there are new racing slopes in Italy where can compete ».

Federica Brignone also had words of appreciation for the slope. "I tried La VolatA for the first time last year and I immediately found it very beautiful - said the winner of the last Ski World Cup - not only for its technical features but also for the amazing scenery all around".

«The VolatA combines technical parts with sliding ones - added Elena Curtoni from Valtellina - Much will also depend on the snow conditions. The harder it will be, the more technical the track will become and this perfectly suits to my characteristics. I have trained here several times and I feel like saying that the race slope is really beautiful».

The Organizing Committee, lead by Andrea Weiss and coordinated by the general secretary Cristoforo Debertol, has been working hard to get ready for this great event. On last Saturday the jump on the final part of the track was then completed. It represents an added value to the race track and it has been carefully prepared by the volunteers coordinated by the members of the Alpine School of the Guardia di Finanza di Predazzo and those of the Alpine School of the Polizia di Stato di Moena, under the supervision of the two race directors Rainer Senoner and Cesare Pastore.

The name chosen for the slope is composed, at the beginning and at the end, by the initials of Alberto Vendruscolo, a real pioneer of skiing in this area of Trentino.

The race slope has a development of 2,300 meters, with difference in height of 630 meters, an average gradient of 28.4% up to a maximum of 57%. It starts at 2,510 meters of altitude in Col Margherita down to 1,880 meters of the "finish line". The track is characterized by five main sectors: the first section, which has a development of 190 meters, is called Muro Alberto, followed by another change in slope 280 meters long (Muro Manfroi) and then by a section with a lower height difference, named La Piana (410 meters). The most demanding stretch arrives in the second part of the track, with a development of 1,000 meters called Muri del Poeta, with three intermediate sections placed right before the final 880-meter stretch of the Dosso del Camoscio, characterized by a series of depressions that lead to the final Schuss.

The trophy that is bound to the first three athletes in the ranking list of the three World Cup races scheduled on the slope La Volata at Passo San Pellegrino, hosting two Downhill races and a Super G from February 26th to 28th, is the outcome of the creativity of a student from the Art School G. Soraperra in Sèn Jan. Lorenza Cloch’s idea has won the contest proposed by the Tourist Board Val di Fassa, in which several students from different classes have taken part.

The work is inspired by the legends of this land, in particular by the famous story of King Lauring and the Rosengarten: Laurin is symbolized by the crown, which will pay homage to the queens of the three races. The crown is made of two different elements, placed in-between the mountains, also represented by two components, pointing to the sky. Also attentive is the choice of the materials that have been used to realise the trophy:, local wood and Pale Mountains’ stone, both typical of the Val di Fassa, and glass, whose transparency and reflections want to symbolize the ice, the snow and the cold, fundamental elements for alpine skiing.

The basement of the trophy is made of three steps, recalling the podium of the races: the two lower ones are realised in massive larch wood, while the top one is in stone, namely the Dolomia, which is a symbolic material of location of the event.

Tomorrow, February 18th, is the last available day for the accreditation of journalists, photographers and media operators who intend to follow the Val di Fassa World Cup. In order to request it, you just need to follow the instructions given on the website VAL DI FASSA SKI WORLD CUP - MEDIA

The Val di Fassa Women World Cup has chosen a location that had already been a lucky charm in January 2019 to present to the press the Downhill and SuperG races that will take place between Wednesday 24th and February 28th on the slope La VolatA in the ski area San Pellegrino. As well as on occasion of the Junior World Championships, the meeting with the press, organized with the aim to relate about the history and the details of this great event that has been pursued during more than 30 years, has been hosted by the Edo Benedetti room, at the Gruppo Itas Mutua headquarter in Trento. Itas is one of the most important partners of the event and the president Fabrizio Lorenz did the honours today. Andrea Weiss, president of the Organizing Committee, together with the provincial Councillor for the craftsmanship, commerce, promotion, sport and tourism Roberto Failoni and the Fisi Trentino president Tiziano Mellarini, who is also part of the executive board of the event, has recalled that in this moment, difficult for both the tourism and the economy of the mountains, the World Cup in Val di Fassa is more than ever a ray of light, able to bring optimism and hope and demonstrate the value of winter sports.

“In less than two months – Andrea Weiss has stated – we have been able to establish an organizational machine, capable to respond to all the needs of the International Federation and of the TV production and broadcasting. This is thanks to the experience matured during twenty years in the Europe Cup, but most of all thanks to the expertise matured during the Junior World Championships”.

“When I became provincial councilman, two years ago, - Roberto Failoni says – I immediately accepted the request of Val di Fassa to support the approaching process towards this important goal, that had been started long time before, and for which the Junior World Championships had been a main stage. Today, we can welcome three World Cup races, and we are happy because this can become one of the best advertisements to relaunch the winter tourism, which is living a very difficult moment. The chance of hosting a women competition, while the Italian team is performing really well, is another important aspect”.

It is also a great opportunity for our athletes, who have the chance to do great things in front of the whole world – has stated the FISI Trentino President, Tiziano Mellarini. Our talented athletes, such as Laura Pirovano, can get a big motivation from such an appointment in their land. We didn’t have much time to organize the event, but we are used to demonstrate that we are ready when great events like this knock at our door, and this has also been the occasion.

Prestige to the appointment has been given by the presence of the two champions and testimonials of Val di Fassa Chiara Costazza, winner of a World Cup race in Lienz in 2007, and Cristian Deville, who was the extraordinary winner of a slalom in Kitzbühel in 2012. They have shown their enthusiasm for this assignation, as well as the FISI vice president Angelo Dalpez and the Coni Trentino president Paola Mora. Representing the strategic world of the institutions, who give a precious help on the field, the Colonel Sergio Giovanni Lancerin, commandant of the Guardia di Finanza Alpine School in Predazzo, and Marco Peru from the Police Alpine Training Centre in Moena.

As it happens in all the events, a strategic role is that of the partners which support this World Cup event, some of which were also at the meeting, such as the president of the Cassa Centrale Banca GiorgioFracalossi and the president of Cavit Lorenzo Libera. Among the partners, there are brands of absolute level such as Trentino Marketing, Cassa Rurale Dolomiti, Gruppo Itas Mutua, Dolomiti Energia, Dolomiti Superski and the technical partner Energia Pura.

The race schedule is the following: On Wednesday, February 24th and on Thursday, February 25th, at 11.00 a.m., there will be the two downhill official trainings, and then on Friday 26th February at 11.45 a.m., time for the first downhill, followed on Saturday, at 11 a.m. by the second one. Final act on Sunday, February 28th, with the SuperG starting at 11.00 a.m. These competitions take place just after the World Cup in Cortina and before the finals in Lenzerheide and could determine the winners of the World Cup in the discipline. For what concerns the Downhill cup, there are still three races scheduled and on top of the ranking there is the unlucky champion from Bergamo Sofia Goggia, who is 195 points ahead from the American Breezy Johnson and 210 points ahead from the Swiss Corinne Suter, while there are still two SuperGs, with the new World Champion Lara Gut Behrami on top of the ranking with a considerable advantage on her teammate Corinne Suter.

Alongside the event manager Cristoforo Debertol, the new working group can count on numerous professionals and volunteers, as well as on the technical competence of the two race directors Rainer Senoner from Gardena and Cesare Pastore from Moena and of the slope coordinator Mattia Giongo.

Dear colleagues, due to the current pandemic situation, the Organizing Committee of the Val di Fassa Ski World Cup races that will take place from February 24th to 28th, 2021 has defined regulations and measures in order to ensure the safety of all the participants by introducing rules in order to contain the spread of the Covid-19.

A BEHIND-CLOSED-DOORS EVENT

The Organizing Committee has stated that no guests or spectators will be admitted to the race area. No side events will be organized and that all the awarding ceremonies will take place by the finish area of La VolatA after every race.

LIMITED NUMBER OF MEDIA ACCREDITATION

Taking account of the current national and local regulations, the Organizing Committee will have the possibility to accept a limited number of accreditation requests from the media. Journalists and media operator will have to send their accreditation requests within February 18th, by filling in and uploading the dedicated form on the Eventbuilder platform webpage (find the link at the end of this page). It is also compulsory to upload a negative antigen/PCR Covid-19 test on one’s own FIS Passport. The test must not be older than 72 hours before the arrival in Val di Fassa (therefore before the accreditation pick-up). The test result must be uploaded at least 24 hours before the arrival in Val di Fassa.

ACCREDITATION BY THE NAVALGE CENTRE IN MOENA

Please note that you can pick-up your accreditation by the Navalge Centre in Moena.

COVID CENTRE IN MOENA

During the whole duration of the event, a COVID-19 Test and Health Centre will be available at the Navalge centre in Moena. If necessary, it will be possible to book and take Covid tests there.

ACCOMODATION

The choice of the hotel is up to the single journalist / media operator. Nevertheless, we are available for any need of support at the following contact: Adriano Ricci - accommodation@fassa.com - Tel. +39 0462 609663.

PRESS ROOM

The press room will be set by the Hotel Arnika Wellness, at Passo S. Pellegrino, 43 in Moena. The access will be limited to Media accredited people. Everyone will be assigned a work station by the person in charge of the Press Room. We kindly ask you to keep the same workspace during the whole duration of the event. The press room will be open from 8.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m., from February 24th to 28th. Taking account of the current national and local regulations, the Organizing Committee has adopted a specific protocol that everyone involved in the event is asked to comply with. By registering to the event, everyone accepts the content of this protocol and agrees to respect it. The protocol can be downloaded from our website:

The Italian hopes for the medals pass through the Val di Fassa. The Italian ski team, in particular the athletes taking part in the technical competitions, is currently refining the training in view of the World Championships in Cortina, on the tried-and-tested slope Aloch, that has been hosting the training sessions of the Italian Team for years, thanks to the project “Piste Azzurre”.
An important support for the Italian National Team, which can count on the hospitality offered by a top quality ski resort, in addition to the possibility of doing profitable training sessions in total tranquillity, with dedicated tracks, ideal to simulate the races.
The first to arrive in Val di Fassa, last Sunday, have been the slalom skiers Irene Curtoni, Lara Della Mea, Martina Peterlini and Anita Gulli, reached on the following day by Alex Vinatzer (who on the Aloch itself won the Junior World Championships in 2019), Manfred Moelgg and Giuliano Razzoli. With them, the “master of the house” Stefano Gross, who has grown up on the Aloch, next to his house. The two groups are guided by the coaches Matteo Guadagnini and Jaques Theolier.
The ladies will stay in Pozza di Fassa until February 15th, the men until Thursday, 11th February. Together with the World Cup athletes, also the athletes of the junior team take part in the training scheduled until next Friday, namely Tommaso Saccardi, Manuel Ploner and Filippo Della Vite, who will soon make his debut in a World Ski Championships. With them, finally, there are also the Europe Cup giant slalom skiers Asia Zenere and Ilaria Ghisalberti, who will be here until next Friday. They all have the possibility to train at their best here, while the mountain lift company Val di Fassa – Carezza eagerly awaits the decisions of the government for what concerns the reopening of the ski lifts.

These are the last testing days in Val di Fassa for the ladies of the National Ski Team in view of the approaching World Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Marta Bassino, Federica Brignone, Elena Curtoni, Francesca Marsaglia, Nadia Delago, Laura Pirovano and Roberta Melesi have divided their training sessions between the slope La VolatA in the ski area San Pellegrino, where from February 24th to 28th 3 World Cup races will take place for the first time ever in the Ladin valley, and the slope Aloch in San Giovanni di Fassa.
It’s not by chance that the Italian racers choose the Piste Azzurre courses to refine the training before the important appointments, as Val di Fassa has been a FISI federal training centre since 2006. And not only. On La VolatA, in fact, there has just been also the Swiss ski team, with Michelle Gisin and the sisters Corinne and Juliana Suter, together with the Women Ski Team from France and Norway. The mood of the crew is definitely positive, as the two most awaited racers Marta Bassino and Federica Brignone have stated at the end of the training, while preparing for Saturday’s speed and balance training on La VolatA.
“At first, I thought I would train in Super-G – tells the racer from Piemonte – but then, in the evening, I decided to concentrate on parallel and on special slalom on the slope Aloch. An excellent training with perfect slope conditions, as we always find when in Val di Fassa. I look forward to starting with this home World Championships and I really hope in a good performance. I have been in an excellent condition and I have achieved very important results, which underline my technical and mental evolution in this season. My first race will be the Alpine Combine. A very good thing I think, that will let me enter the World Championships with no pressure. I must admit, I hope in a medal in the giant slalom. To conclude these training days at best, I will train on La VolatA on Saturday an occasion to know better this track that is particularly various, as those that I like most, in view of the World Cup”.
Not afraid to work, Federica Brignone is the last to take off the ski boots at the foot of the beautiful Cima 11: “I have decided to make a double training on the technical disciplines. I want to do as more kilometres as possible before Cortina, where I will compete in several disciplines. I hope to do well, not all the athletes are so lucky to have the chance to compete in a World Championships at home. In comparison to last year, I haven’t managed to find the best condition on the skis, which usually gives me the possibility to venture, but I have had some good sensations in the last days. I will spare no effort”.
And then, will we see you in Val di Fassa? “I hope to be back with a medal – Federica concludes – to play my last cards and chase points for the SuperG World Cup. The more races we have in Italy, the better it is, and La VolatA has something special”.
On the course at San Pellegrino, which hosted the Junior World Championships in 2019, there has been the occasion to train for
Elena Curtoni and the two World Championships rookies Laura Pirovano, who comes from Spiazzo Rendena in Trentino, and Nadia Delago, from Selva in Val Gardena, who won a Europe Cup race on this slope, two years ago. “Taking part in the World Championship is a great satisfaction – tells Laura – I must admit that I am a bit nervous because I’ll back on the slopes when I got hurt, but I am not worried at all. I am very motivated by the fact that if I have earned the call for the Championships, it means that I have had a good season, after many difficult years”.
The other newcomer is happy too:” I couldn’t imagine I would have been on track in the World Championships – Nadia says – there are many good athletes in the team and having the chance to be in Cortina is an extraordinary result for me. I’ll race as a serene and unscrupulous rookie. Never say never”.
From Monday, then, we will also have the slalom skiers here in Val di Fassa: from the veterans Manfred Moelgg, Stefano Gross, Giuliano Razzoli and Irene Curtoni, to the younger Martina Peterlini and Lara Della Mea, as well as many young athletes competing in the Europe Cup.
Then, time to focus on the three World Cup days on the slope La VolatA, at the end of the month: the official training will take place on Wednesday, February 24th and on Thursday, February 25th, while on Friday 26 ^th and on Saturday 27^th there will be the two downhill races, to conclude on Sunday, 28^th with the SuperG.

Val di Fassa is abuzz in these weeks that lead to its debut in the World Cup, with the three speed events that are scheduled few days after the end of the much awaited World Championships in Cortina.

The temple of these 5 days of racing will be the slope La VolatA, which had already hosted the speed events of the 2019 Junior World Ski Championships and which will now host an event that has been chased for more than 30 years.

The track in the ski area San Pellegrino is being accurately prepared by the professionals of the lift company and of the Ski Team Fassa, after the indications of the race directors Cesare Pastore and Rainer Senoner, and it is ready for the first official tests and to be tried by the queens of the Italian ski team, Federica Brignone and Marta Bassino, who will be here from Wednesday, February 3rd to Saturday, February 6th. Late update, they will be joined by their colleagues of the National Team Elena Curtoni, Francesca Marsaglia, Nadia Delago, Verena Gasslitter, Roberta Melesi and Laura Pirovano. Guided by the coaches of the Italian Ski Federation, they will train on the slope La VolatA and on the slope Le Coste, open to the ski clubs since December already.
In the latest days then, even the two times Giant Slalom World champion, the French skier Tessa Worley has decided to gain confidence with the “Piste Azzurre” tracks in Val di Fassa, after winning the giant slalom in Kronplatz, where she has beaten the Swiss Lara Gut Behrami and the Italian Marta Bassino, under the guide of the Italian coach Alberto Senigalliesi, giant skier at the time of Blardone and Simoncelli. «I wanted to refine my training in complete peace – the French champion says – and we have therefore chosen the slopes in the ski area San Pellegrino that are perfectly prepared, in a fantastic landscape, with the Italian hospitality that is always an added value.”
In addition to the Italian and French athletes, 9 other national teams will train at San Pellegrino and on the slope Aloch in the same days, choosing the Val di Fassa as training location in view of the Cortina World Championship, aiming at expanding the training centre project with an eye on the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics.
Also Asia Zenere, Ilaria Ghisalberti and Sophie Mathiou, who compete in the European Cup, are training here in these days.
For what concerns the speed events, FIS has officialised the new World Cup calendar, changed due to the bad weather conditions in Garmisch Partenkirchen. So, the Downhill race scheduled in Germany will take place here in Val di Fassa, together with the Downhill and the Super G that were scheduled in China. The programme in Fassa sees therefore two official training sessions on Wednesday, 24th and on Thursday, 25th February, followed by two Downhills on 26th and on 27th and by the Super G on 28th February.

Just one month separates the Val di Fassa from the Alpine Skiing World Cup, after having been chased it for more than 30 year. On Friday, February 26th, the slope La VolatA on Passo San Pellegrino will host the first of three women speed events, entrusted by FIS to the Ski Team Fassa. Three races that will be preceded by two days of training. The programme will start with the Super-G that should have taken place in St. Moritz, followed by a Downhill on Saturday 27th and by another Super-G on Sunday 28th, both scheduled in Yanqing.
This is a very important occasion for Val di Fassa to show its organizational skills and therefore the committee that will face this challenge has been made up in a record time, to perform well in order to gain a steady place in the next World Cup calendars.
The executive team, headed by Andrea Weiss, is made by the vice-president Davide Moser, also representative of the Municipality of Moena, by Leonardo Bernard for the Ski Team Fassa, Tiziano Mellarini for the FISI and Renzo Minella for the Ski Area San Pellegrino. Cristoforo Debertol has been chosen for the key role of event manager, while Rainer Senoner and Cesare Pastore are the race directors.
Now the slope La VolatA is being accurately prepared according to the FIS rules, after the technical inspection made by the FIS responsible Peter Gerdol, also in order to write the health protocols. From next week already, the slope will be open for the first training sessions of the Italian National teams, to refine the preparation for the upcoming World Ski Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
To accompany this 30-day countdown, the Organizing Committee has made a suggestive video clip - which can be watched on the Val di Fassa official Facebook page -, which narrates the history of skiing in the Ladin valley and in which one of the event testimonials, the Kitzbühel champion from Moena Cristian Deville, presents La VolatA.
Deville isn’t the only champion representing the Val di Fassa: just think to pioneers such as Rinaldo Cigolla, Giuliano Talmon, Angelo Pitscheider, Guido Margoni, Daniele Chiocchetti, Tone Valeruz, the brothers Anastasia and Igor Cigolla, Diego Amplatz, Stefano Costazza, Angelo Weiss, Chiara Costazza and to the current athletes Stefano Gross, Federico Liberatore and Monica Zanoner, beside the several young athletes that have worn the Italian national suit.
So, Val di Fassa is ready to enter the world of the top-class skiing: an opportunity to show its connection with the alpine skiing, first as a resort that is part of the biggest ski carousel in Europe, the Dolomiti Superski, and then also as a destination whose sport story starts back in 1988, when the champion Alberto Tomba began to train here with his coach Flavio Roda (now FISI president). A story that was reinforced in 2001 with the first of 28 European Cup races and then in 2006 with the beginning of the Piste Azzurre project, which entitled the valley as the training center of the Italian National team, passing through the extraordinary experience of the 2019 World Junior Alpine Skiing Championships, whose closing ceremony also took place on February 27th. More than 80 international FIS races have been hosted here till nowadays.

Val di Fassa ski winter 2020/21

The Two ski resorts “Val di Fassa – Carezza” and “Alpe Lusia – San Pellegrino”, 210 kilometres of slopes, about eighty chairlifts, cable cars and cabin lifts, 4 ski tours such as the famous Sellaronda and the spectacular ski tour Panorama, six snow parks for the ski and snowboard addicted.
Up to now, unfortunately, the stop of the ski season hasn’t given the possibility to enjoy the new works of the lifts companies, such as the new lifts in the ski area Belvedere in Canazei, where the new 6-seat chairlift Kristiania awaits the skiers, and in the ski area Carezza, where there’s a brand new 10-seat automatic coupling cabin lift and a longer version of the 6-seat automatic coupling “Tschein” chairlift.
In the ski area Buffaure in Sèn Jan/Pozza di Fassa, the red slope Buffaure di Sotto has been modified and has been turned into a blue slope, to become a perfect field school, equipped with a carpet too. The snowing system then has been enhanced by “Ski Stadium Aloch” in Pozza, also training federal centre part of the “Piste Azzurre” project in collaboration with FISI.