World Cup kick-off with a returnee from South Tyrol

The Alpine Ski World Cup season begins this weekend with two giant slalom races in Sölden. The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) has now announced the lineup for the opening event at the Rettenbachferner glacier.

21 October 2025

From: dl

The Azzurre will have to do without last year’s winner Federica Brignone. The world champion is currently fighting for her return to the ski slopes. This year, the team in Sölden will be led by Sofia Goggia and Marta Bassino. They will also be joined by Asja Zenere, Lara Della Mea, Giorgia Collomb, Ilaria Ghisalberti, and the Obermais native Elisa Platino. The team is completed by Giulia Valleriani and Laura Steinmair, who prevailed in the internal qualification races last week in Schnals.

Steinmair's only World Cup appearances were all in January 2023 – almost three years ago. The technical specialist never qualified for the second round. The 25-year-old from Olang is now approaching her fifth race in the elite class.

Alex Vinatzer leads Italy's men's team. © APA/afp / KERSTIN JOENSSON

In the men’s category, last year’s fifth place Alex Vinatzer and Tobias Kastlunger Two South Tyroleans are participating. The Marebbe native won the internal qualifying races last week. The 26-year-old has only earned World Cup points in giant slalom once – with a 23rd place finish in Kranjska Gora in March 2023. New coach Mauro Pini has also nominated Luca Aliprandini, Filippo Della Vite, Giovanni Borsotti, and Giovanni Franzoni for the opening race in Sölden.