Max Perathoner secured his first European Cup victory. © ANSA / CHRISTIAN BRUNA

The great moment of glory for Max Perathoner

Max Perathoner from South Tyrol caused a sensation at the men's European Cup downhill race in Santa Caterina Valfurva.

12 December 2025

From: dl

The young skier from Val Gardena secured his maiden victory in the second-highest series in alpine skiing on Friday. Perathoner's time was exactly the same (1:00.61 minutes) as that of Switzerland's Sandro Manser. Another Italian, Marco Abbruzzese, finished fifth. Of the South Tyrolean skiers, only Emanuel Lamp, who finished 25th, managed to score any European Cup points.

Perathoner first attracted attention in January 2024 when he won two gold and one bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in Châtel, France. His first European Cup podium finishes earned the now 22-year-old from Selva di Val Gardena three World Cup starts last winter – including one in his home canton of Val Gardena. With this form, further appearances in the elite class are sure to follow.