Gaia Brunello at the shooting range: The young biathlete is a talent. © Paul Teissl

Curious change: South Tyrolean biathlete starts for Brazil

A South Tyrolean who competes for Brazil: What sounds crazy is actually coming true these days. Gaia Brunello, a 22-year-old biathlon talent from Val Gardena, told us her unique story.

18 December 2024

What is Brazil actually known for? We'll type this question into our newest helper tool Chat GPT and let us spit out a list. The answers: Brazil stands for the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, the cult dance style Samba, the successful national football team - and of course for the Copacabana, the world-famous beach. But we are not entirely satisfied with the result, so we ask: What about biathlon? Not surprisingly, the screen flashes: "This sport is hardly popular due to the subtropical climate."

Nevertheless, there are a few Brazilian ski hunters in the biathlon circus who try their hand at shooting ranges and cross-country ski trails in the cold winter sports regions of the world. Gaia Brunello is now one of them. The 22-year-old comes from Ortisei in Val Gardena, grew up here, was already in the South Tyrolean biathlon national squad, even became Italian relay champion in the U22 category last March - and from this season she will actually be competing for Brazil. "It's a bit funny," says Brunello in an interview with SportNews. “My friends used to say that as a joke, now it’s reality.”

A woman from Val Gardena who competes for Brazil in the biathlon circus: Gaia Brunello. © Michael Mair am Tinkhof

But how does it happen that a biathlon talent from Val Gardena goes skiing for Brazil, thousands of kilometers away? Gaia tells her story: "I have my Brazilian roots from my mother Aurea. She comes from Salvador de Bahia (the third largest city in Brazil, editor's note). She came to Europe many years ago to study and found a job in Val Gardena. That's where she met my dad Fabio."

“The example of Lucas Braathen motivated me a lot.” Gaia Brunello

Today the family runs the Brunello Inn in Ortisei, where their daughter Gaia also lends a hand. But her great passion has been biathlon since she was a child. The young Ladin woman was part of the South Tyrolean national team and has competed in the international IBU Junior Cup in recent years. However, she was not able to join the national team or a sports group. "I realized that moving to Brazil was not just an option - it was the only way to continue doing what I love." And that is biathlon.

Biathlon in Brazil – how does it work?

In recent months, Brunello has followed the career of ski star Lucas Braathen very closely. After a year's break, the Norwegian has also decided to compete for his mother's home country, Brazil. "That really motivated me," explains Gaia, who has already made friends with the Brazilian biathlon exotics in recent years. "A coach then put me in touch with the Brazilian Ski Association. He was enthusiastic about working with me. I am now receiving financial support from the association, but also from the IBU (International Biathlon Federation, editor's note). I am grateful to have been so well received," says Brunello.

Curiously, the young woman from Val Gardena is the exotic one in Brazil's team. "The team consists of seven or eight biathletes, all of whom are genuine Brazilians. Most of them are still very young," explains Gaia, adding: "There is no biathlon facility in Brazil, but there is a fast roller ski track. During training, the shooting takes place using laser devices."

Brunello especially likes the mentality and food from Brazil.

Brunello himself has a close connection to Brazil. "We have often been to my mother's homeland and visited our relatives. I like the mentality of the Brazilians: they see everything positively and live every day as if it were their last." There is a Brazilian wind blowing in the Brunello household. "My mom likes to cook typical dishes from her homeland, but my dad is also a chef. Sometimes there are arguments about whether Brazilian or Italian food should be served," smiles Gaia, who speaks Brazil's national language, Portuguese, perfectly.

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This week, Gaia Brunello has a big appearance. A stage of the IBU Cup – the second highest race series in biathlon – is taking place in Obertilliach (East Tyrol). The young South Tyrolean-Brazilian will be competing for her new nation for the first time. “My dream goal for this year would be to qualify for the World Cup in Antholz. And then…”, adds the cheerful nature, “I want to go to the Olympic Games in 2026. To compete as a Brazilian at the Olympic Games in Antholz would be a dream.” Of course, we don’t have to wait any longer for Antholz. Chat GPT for an answer, because everyone in South Tyrol knows: This is probably the most famous biathlon location in the world.