Roland Fischnaller during training in Carezza. © Sportissimus

Earlier than expected: Fischnaller returns

Following their outstanding successes at the start of the season in China, the Italian national snowboard team trained on the Pra Di Tori slope in preparation for their two home races. Roland Fischnaller was also among them.

10 December 2025

From: pm/dl

Maurizio Bormolini, Aaron March, Lucia Dalmasso & Co. praised the prevailing conditions in the South Tyrolean ski resort and are eagerly anticipating the next stages in Cortina and Carezza Dolomites. Eight days before the showdown, there is a change regarding the start time of the final at the Karerpass.

Three wins in four races, a total of six out of a possible 12 podium finishes – the Italian snowboard team has shown in Mylin, China, that they will be a force to be reckoned with again this Olympic winter. These results naturally raise expectations ahead of the next two stages, which will take place this Saturday, December 13th in Cortina d'Ampezzo and on Thursday, December 18th in Carezza Dolomites.

The battle for Olympic tickets has begun.

Today, Wednesday, the Italian national team, the "Azzurre" and "Azzurri," trained on European snow for the first time since their return from Asia. The conditions they encountered in Carezza Dolomites were excellent. "The slope is already in good condition. And everything else is going according to plan as well. We are very much looking forward to the 15th edition of our races," said organizing committee head Andreas Obkircher. Florian Eisath, managing director of Carezza Dolomites, added: "For us, the Snowboard World Cup races are a fantastic showcase at the start of the winter season. A season that got off to a great start for us this past weekend, with the opening of the Franzin cable car. It's the final piece of the puzzle on the way to becoming one of the most modern ski resorts in the Dolomites and the Alps."

The World Cup will take place in Carezza next Thursday.

For Jasmin Coratti, who once finished seventh in Mylin, returning to the scene of her triumph 363 days earlier was a very special feeling. "I think this result motivates me more than it puts pressure on me. As the defending champion, I know I can compete at the very front on this slope. It's always great to race at home in front of my own fans. I can hardly wait," said the 24-year-old from Graun in the Vinschgau Valley. Besides Coratti, other Italian snowboarders training on the Pra Di Tori slope included Lucia Dalmasso (winner of the first race in Mylin), Elisa Caffont (second place in the first race in Mylin), Elisa Fava, and Sofia Valle.


In the men's competition in China, Maurizio Bormolini made headlines. He won the first parallel giant slalom in Mylin and finished third in the second race, which was won by his teammate Mirko Felicetti. This brings the snowboarder from Livigno within reach of an Olympic berth. From a South Tyrolean perspective, Aaron March was particularly impressive, finishing third in one race and fifth in another. Besides Bormolini, Felicetti, and March, Daniele Bagozza, Gabriel Messner, Edwin Coratti, Fabian Lantschner, Marc Hofer, and Tommy Rabanser also trained in Carezza Dolomites on Wednesday.

Fischnaller makes a comeback

And South Tyrol's star snowboarder, Roland Fischnaller, who had to miss the stage in China, also made a few turns on the Pra Di Tori slope. After an ankle injury, the man from Villnöss trained between the gates for the first time on Wednesday. "The injury obviously happened at the worst possible time. I really have to grit my teeth, especially fastening my boot, which hurts like hell. But there's nothing I can do about it; I'm trying to stay positive despite everything. Today (Wednesday, editor's note) I skied half the course and am slowly getting back into it. I'll be at the starting gate in Cortina on Saturday," said the 45-year-old world champion.

"I have to grit my teeth extremely hard, but I will be at the starting line in Cortina on Saturday." Roland Fischller

The battle for Olympic tickets promises to be particularly intense among the Italian snowboarders. No fewer than ten athletes are vying for the four starting spots. It's quite possible that in the end, a snowboarder who has stood on the podium this season will only be able to watch. "We have a fantastic team and we push each other to the top. For me as an individual athlete, it's brutal when things are this close. But on the other hand, it's great to be part of the strongest snowboard team in the world. Whoever secures a ticket with us has truly earned it and can achieve great things at the Olympics," Daniele Bagozza succinctly put it.

It was also announced on Wednesday that the start time for the final of the World Cup stage in Carezza Dolomites will be postponed by 15 minutes. The final, featuring thrilling knockout runs, will now begin at 12:45 PM. The qualifying round is scheduled to start at 9:00 AM on Thursday, December 18th.