Alex Vinatzer prepares for the World Cup opening in Sölden. © APA/afp / KERSTIN JOENSSON

Step forward? Test in Sölden

The new ski season begins in Sölden on the weekend of October 25 and 26. Before the World Cup kicks off, Italy's giant slalom skiers are familiarizing themselves with the conditions in the Ötztal Valley. The Azzurri are putting everything on the line in the Olympic season.

08 October 2025

From: dl

After returning from Ushuaia (Argentina) and a few days of recovery, Italy's giant slalom specialists will meet in Sölden starting Saturday, October 11th – exactly where the classic World Cup opening with the giant slaloms will take place two weeks later on the Rettenbachferner glacier.

The Italian Ski Federation (FISI), on the recommendation of technical director Massimo Carca, has announced the nominees for the training week, which runs until Wednesday, October 15. Luca De Aliprandini, Alex Vinatzer, Filippo Della Vite, Giovanni Franzoni, Stefano Pizzato, and Davide Seppi are among those taking part.

What does the new star coach do?

Giovanni Borsotti, who is no longer part of the national team this Olympic season, continues to work individually. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be among the six athletes fielded by new coach Mauro Pini for the season opener, despite his placement near the top 30 in the giant slalom world rankings. The Swiss has been leading the Azzurri's struggling slalom and giant slalom team since April.

Mauro Pini (right) recently coached Petra Vlhova and is now tasked with getting Italy's technique back on track. © ct

During the training session in Sölden, Pini will be assisted by Peter Fill from Kastelruth and Max Blardone. The latter climbed to the podium in Sölden in 2004, finishing second. However, Italy's giant slalom team has been far from its golden age in recent years. Last season, De Aliprandini was the best in the discipline rankings, finishing tenth. With Nonsberger, Della Vite, Franzoni, and Vinatzer, however, there's potential for more.

It will be interesting to see whether the Azzurri have already taken a step forward under their new star coach Pini, who has coached exceptional athletes such as Tina Maze, Lara Gut-Behrami, and Petra Vlhova during his career. Vinatzer certainly likes the glacier in Sölden, as his fifth place last year demonstrates.