The inspection at the Raiffeisen Grand Prix. © FISI/Sportissimus

Things are happening thick and fast for South Tyrol's ski talents.

No quiet days here: After the New Year, the young skiers, especially those in the U14 and U16 age groups, were kept busy with several races. The Marlene Cup also continued with a slalom in Gsies.

07 January 2026

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In the boys' U21 category, Alex Silbernagl (Seiser Alm/1:22.71) secured victory with the third-fastest overall time. Max Clara (Kronplatz/1:22.91) finished second, and Luis Schuster (Kronplatz/1:24.95) came in third. In the U18 category, local favorite Noah Gasteiger (1:25.00) won ahead of Giacomo Ploner (Alta Badia/1:26.31) and Sebastian Gamper (Gröden/1:27.46). The women's race was won by Nora Damian (Seiser Alm/1:26.49), followed by Hanna Bachmann (Tramin/1:27.65) and Nora Pernstich (Überetsch-Unterland/1:27.69). In the U18 category, Sophie Schweigl (Kronplatz/1:27.50) was victorious with the third overall time, ahead of Lena Sottara (Alta Badia/1:30.45) and Sofie Rieder (Jochtal/1:32.02).

A national youth race took place at the same venue on Tuesday. Here, the state squad athletes once again put on a strong showing. Nora Pernstich celebrated victory in the slalom, while in the U18 category, Sophie Schweigl and Alenah Taschler (Gsies) took first and second place, respectively. In the men's race, David Castlunger emerged victorious, with Alex Silbernagl finishing third. Noah Gasteiger came in second in the U18 category.

Raiffeisen Grand Prix: The season is picking up speed

Four races of the Raiffeisen Grand Prix series, with well over 500 participants in total, were held in recent days. The first took place on Saturday, January 3rd, and was organized by TZ Überetsch Unterland at the village lift in Deutschnofen. Eva Sagmeister (Vinschger Oberland/1:29.62) won the U14 girls' slalom, ahead of Natalie Morandell (Kaltern/1:33.93) and Lara Saltuari (Auer/1:35.17). In the boys' U14 category, Elia Raffeiner (Riffian Kuens/1:31.33) took the victory, followed by Luis Spiess (Sarntal/1:32.69) and Aron Lanpacher (Tscherms/1:33.38). Another racer from Riffian Kuens, Noemi Laimer (1:30.67), also came out on top in the U16 category. She relegated Madeleine Major (Eggen/1:31.81) and Lena Saltuari (Auer/1:32.66) to the runner-up positions. Juri Gufler (Passeiertal/1:23.22) was the winner of the U16 boys, ahead of Julian Plieger (1:24.99) and Michael Thaler (both Sarntal/1:25.36).

24 hours later, same place, same discipline: this time the Ski Team Latemar organized it. In the U14 girls' category, Greta Profanter (Seiser Alm/1:32.50) won ahead of Lea Thaler (Ski Team Latemar/1:35.42) and Julia Trocker (Seiser Alm/1:35.58). In the U14 boys' category, Robin Kelder (Gröden/1:32.63) narrowly edged out Elias Magoni (Wipptal/1:32.68) and Leo Neulichedl (Ski Team Latemar/1:34.76). The winner of the U16 girls' category was Emma Oberhuber (Wipptal/1:26.87), who finished ahead of Francesca Miribung (Gröden/1:30.33) and Carmen Gschliesser (Wipptal/1:30.68). In the U16 boys' category, Mattia Vinatzer (Gröden/1:24.93) from Gröden emerged victorious in a nail-biting finish, beating Simon Kaser (Seiser Alm). Alm/1:24.99) and Julian Martinelli (Ski Team Latemar/1:25.35) were relegated to the ranks behind.

On Epiphany, the Schöneben slope in Reinswald hosted a giant slalom race. Local favorite Emmy Burger won the U14 girls' race in 1:37.30, ahead of Lia Pandolfi (Riffian Kuens/1:39.34) and Natalie Morandell (Kaltern/1:39.38). In the boys' U14 category, Luis Spiess (1:35.92) and Jakob Thaler (1:36.28) secured a Sarntal one-two finish. Elia Raffeiner (Riffian Kuens/1:38.02) completed the podium. In the U16 girls' race, Anna Theresa Henz (Riffian Kuens/1:37.81) was unbeatable. Letizia Wenter Heiss (Sarntal/1:38.56) took second place, and Helena Mederle (Eppan/1:38.90) finished third. The winner of the U16 male category was Michael Thaler (Sarntal/1:31.94), who relegated Juri Gufler (Passeiertal/1:32.13) and Max Giubbilei (Ritten Sport/1:32.74) to the honorary places.

Also on Epiphany, a giant slalom was held at the Furkel Pass. Mia Moling (Jochtal/1:17.62) won the U14 girls' race ahead of Mia Oberjakober (Kronplatz/1:20.85) and Sofia Lanz (Jochtal/1:21.30). In the boys' race, Matthias Winkler (Kronplatz/1:18.42), Elias Rudiferia (Alta Badia/1:18.75), and Alex Lanz (Jochtal/1:19.06) took first, second, and third place, respectively. Isabel Wisthaler (Taisten/1:17.73) won the U16 girls' race ahead of Maya Rieder (Jochtal/1:18.15) and Amy Happacher (3 Zinnen Dolomites/1:18.30). Hannes Valentini (Alta Badia/1:15.57) won the U16 male race ahead of Felix Tscholl (Jochtal/1:16.61) and Elias Obojes (Kronplatz/1:16.75).