Newbies and veterans: These technicians want to go to the World Cup

Italy's haul at the last Ski World Championships in Cortina was mixed, with one gold and one silver. However, there is a great chance that the Italian winter sports association FISI can look forward to a larger number of medals in Courchevel and Méribel. South Tyrol's aces even came away completely empty-handed in Cortina. A scenario that also threatens the upcoming title fights. In general, it is unclear how many local athletes will compete in France.

SportNews dares to predict in advance and tries to define Italy's World Cup squad. In the first part we take a closer look at the disciplines of slalom, giant slalom and alpine combination.

Slalom Coach Simone Del Dio's team is almost complete: the consistent Tommaso Sala (always in the top 30), veteran Stefano Gross (once fifth) and Alex Vinatzer have the ticket firmly in their pockets. The Wolkensteiner was eliminated five times, but can boast a fourth and a tenth place. The awarding of the last starting place will be exciting. Do the coaches decide on the ailing Giuliano Razzoli (only 4 starts) or on the talented Tobias Kastlunger, who made people sit up and take notice with a 10th place at the beginning of the season. A nomination for Simon Maurberger (twice in the points) is also possible because of the better starting number.

SportNews Prediction: Tommaso Sala, Alex Vinatzer, Stefano Gross, Giuliano Razzoli

Marta Rossetti is going to the World Cup. © Pentaphoto

For women, the situation is even more unclear. Marta Rossetti (three times in the top 30) should be seeded. Behind the 23-year-old, many athletes are fighting for the remaining tickets. Lara Della Mea and Vera Tschurtschenthaler have the best cards. Anita Gulli can still jump on the World Cup bandwagon with a strong result in Spindleruv Mlyn this week. However, it is unclear whether the coaches will even use up the quota and fill all four places.

SportNews Forecast: Marta Rossetti, Lara Della Mea, Vera Tschurtschenthaler, Anita Gulli

Giant slalom From one extreme to the other: While the Italian women around Marta Bassino and Federica Brignone are permanent guests on the podium in the giant slaloms, the men are in a deep crisis. The 21-year-old Filippo Della Vite was the only bright spot this year. Vice world champion Luca De Aliprandini, like Giovanni Borsotti, can expect to take part. Simon Maurberger and Hannes Zingerle are probably fighting for the last starting place. The latter set an exclamation mark with 14th place in Schladming, Maurberger impressed with 13th place in Val d'Isere, but ultimately fell short of expectations.

SportNews Prediction: Filippo Della Vite, Luca De Aliprandini, Giovanni Borsotti, Hannes Zingerle

Simon Maurberger has to tremble. © Pentaphoto

Just like with the men, there is also a big question mark in the women's competition. Brignone (two podiums) and Bassino (five podiums) are Italy's hopefuls, and Asja Zenere can also look forward to her first World Cup. The 26-year-old collected points four times and worked her way into the top 30 on the starting list. Either Roberta Melesi or Elisa Platino from Merano takes the last place. Melesi has slightly better results with ranks 11 and 28, but the South Tyrolean has been in stronger form recently. However, like Melesi, she left the races at Kronplatz without any points.

SportNews Prediction: Marta Bassino, Federica Brignone, Asja Zenere, Roberta Melesi

Alpine combination Who can take part in the Alpine Combined? Finding an answer to this question is impossible. There was no race in this retired discipline in the World Cup this season. Comparative values? Not available. Everything is open, especially for men. Can Riccardo Tonetti, who came seventh at the 2021 World Cup in Cortina, be allowed to compete? Or do the trainers give young drivers their trust? What about Christof Innerhofer? Because it is a Super-G and not a downhill run, there is a high chance that technicians like Della Vite will be used. Dominik Paris probably won't bother with the combination.

SportNews Prediction: Filippo Della Vite, Christof Innerhofer, Matteo Franzoso

It is much easier to set up a quartet for women. Brignone has already won five combinations in the World Cup - including the last four in a row. Because the race is held with a Super-G instead of a downhill, their chances are even better. Marta Bassino has also celebrated great successes in this discipline. Elena Curtoni came fourth in Cortina in 2021 and therefore probably has her ticket secure. It is questionable whether a fourth athlete from the boot state will be at the start. Nicol Delago would be an option.

SportNews Prediction: Federica Brignone, Marta Bassino, Elena Curtoni, Nicol Delago

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Newbies and veterans: These technicians want to go to the World Cup

The Ski World Championships in Courchevel and Méribel are fast approaching. SportNews tried to set up Italy's delegation in advance. Many local athletes are not included in it, but the final word has not yet been spoken.

Suggestions

Comments (0)