Skiing prodigy Anna Trocker is preparing for her second Olympic appearance. © FELICE CALABRO / Felice Calabro

South Tyrol's ski jewel and the famous mentor

The final ski race of the Olympic Games takes place on Wednesday. Among the competitors is Anna Trocker, considered a great skiing talent from South Tyrol. She has a prominent mentor by her side.

February 17, 2026

Diary from Cortina d'Ampezzo

Over the past ten days in Cortina d'Ampezzo, I was fortunate enough to experience many magical Olympic moments up close. I'll probably never forget the evening when our doubles men and women swept up two gold medals in the ice channel within just 64 minutes. Nor will I forget the goosebump-inducing atmosphere that Federica Brignone created after her Olympic victory in the giant slalom.

But I also realized: It doesn't always have to be victories or medals that ignite great emotions. It can also be a tenth-place finish, like Anna Trocker's in the women's team combined event. The way the 17-year-old from Völs' eyes shone with joy after her successful Olympic debut – those are the special moments that remain in your memory at the Winter Games.

The slalom on Wednesday

On Wednesday, Anna Trocker will make her second and final appearance in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The South Tyrolean skiing prodigy will compete in the slalom. This marks another milestone in her still young career, which has developed so rapidly in recent weeks – notably with her World Cup debut and Olympic selection.

A strong trio: Anna Trocker (right), her sister Nadine (left) and Arnold Karbon.

One person who will be watching Wednesday's slalom very closely is Arnold Karbon. The 73-year-old from Kastelruth, father of ski heroine Denise Karbon, is considered a coaching icon in South Tyrol. Karbon has been active in the world of skiing for more than four decades, coaching athletes such as Florian Schieder, Peter Fill, Alex Hofer, and his daughter Denise – and for several years now, he has also been the trusted coach of Anna Trocker and her sister Nadine, who is two years older.

Mom's coach, the girl's coach

A curious fact: Karbon once coached Manuela Mair, the mother of the Trocker daughter, who competed in a handful of World Cup races in the late 1990s. And Karbon was Egon Trocker's neighbor for a long time. This is one reason why the Karbon family and the Trocker family have such a close relationship. So it was no surprise that a collaboration came about.

Anna Trocker during her performance in the team combined event.

“My earliest memories of Anna? She was always a very determined girl. What you could demand of the boys, you could also demand of her,” says Arnold Karbon. A quality that still distinguishes Anna today. “She’s very focused, wants to give 100 percent in every training session, and also has good physique. Then, of course, there are still technical flaws she needs to work on,” the coach analyzes.

Denise Karbon is also involved.

Anna Trocker has been in the C national team since this season, but coach Karbon – also at the request of the national team coaches – is usually present at training sessions. "I also take care of Anna's sister Nadine a lot, who has already suffered two cruciate ligament tears, but is now fit again." Arnold's famous daughter Denise Karbon also works with the two girls from time to time, especially regarding dryland training in the summer.

"She should approach it in a relaxed and joyful way." Arnold Carbon

Anna's performance in the team combined event certainly impressed coach Arnold Karbon. "I saw her very well, especially mentally. She's only recently joined this new world, this new team. Nevertheless, she approached her run as if she'd been doing it for much longer."

What advice does he give her for the slalom on Wednesday? "Exactly what I told her before the Olympic Games: She should approach it relaxed and with joy." Arnold, who is not in Cortina d'Ampezzo himself, will be watching the race on television, keeping a close eye on every turn of his protégé.