Ladiner Speed Trio: Back in familiar surroundings

For various reasons, the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) decided in the spring to reintegrate the trio into the European Cup team after one season. "Not much changes in itself, because we have the same training opportunities as before. Both the World Cup and European Cup groups have their advantages: at the top, you can learn a lot from the elite athletes, while here you train with your peers, side by side," Thaler explains.

Bernardi, who is also relying on mental training and a nutritionist in the new season, echoes this sentiment: “I really like it. There are younger riders on the team, and we always have a lot of fun together. It’s important for me to keep Sara on the team. We’re very different, but we get along extremely well. She’s a great point of reference for me,” explains Bernardi, who deeply regrets that Teresa Runggaldier hasn’t been able to participate in team training for almost a year.

Vicky Bernardi is also training with the European Cup team. © APA / SEAN M. HAFFEY

The 26-year-old suffered a broken fibula, a torn cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament, cartilage damage, and a meniscus injury during training in Copper Mountain (USA) in December 2024. Although she was already making her first turns on snow again in July, she is still unable to participate in team training. The reason: sometimes severe pain in the back of her knee. "My knee is actually doing well, and I can do almost everything, but this pain in the tendon prevents me from doing important exercises to stabilize the knee joint."

Runggaldier's difficult road back In recent months, I was first diagnosed with edema and then tendinopathy. Even after two injections, the pain persisted,” Runggaldier explains. To definitively determine the cause of her problems, the Val Gardena native underwent further examinations in mid-November at the Hochrum Clinic with Dr. Christian Fink, who had already operated on her last December. “I can ski almost without restrictions. But I’m not putting myself under pressure and I’m remaining patient. My goal is to get back to my pre-injury level. And I’m sure I’ll achieve that.”

Sara Thaler has also had a difficult season.

Thaler also looks back on a challenging season, marked by both highs and lows. She won the bronze medal at the Junior World Championships, earned her first World Cup points, and reached the European Cup podium. However, a serious crash in Garmisch-Partenkirchen cost her about a month of racing. "I learned a lot from last year," she says. "The injury wasn't serious, but it left its mark. I've realized that sport and results aren't everything in life. I want to give other things importance too – even though skiing is my priority."

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Ladiner Speed Trio: Back in familiar surroundings

After a year with the World Cup team, Vicky Bernardi, Sara Thaler, and Teresa Runggaldier are training again with the European Cup group. However, it would be wrong to speak of a demotion.

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football

Italy

International leagues

International

hockey

tennis

Winter sports

Learn More

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Favorites

Ladiner Speed ​​Trio: Back in familiar surroundings

After a year with the World Cup team, Vicky Bernardi, Sara Thaler, and Teresa Runggaldier are training again with the European Cup group. However, it would be wrong to speak of a demotion.

Comments (0)

Ladiner Speed Trio: Back in familiar surroundings