Here, the rookies were honored. © Camilla Pizzini

These are South Tyrol's winter sports jewels

The FORST brewery in Algund hosted this year's winter sports festival, organized by the FISI South Tyrol Regional Winter Sports Federation, on Friday evening. For approximately two hours, the event was attended by host Cellina von Mannstein, Governor Arno Kompatscher, many other guests of honor, and the absolute protagonists – the young winter athletes.

June 03, 2025

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Conditions at the festival grounds couldn't be better: There, athletes toiling on cross-country ski trails in subzero temperatures and snow flurries, racing down the slopes at top speed in a Super-G, or skillfully weaving through the labyrinth of curves on their toboggans. These are the very protagonists from the video, wearing shorts and the official blue T-shirts of the South Tyrol Winter Sports Association on the hottest day of the year so far, with daytime temperatures around 30° Celsius.

The mild early summer evening and the overall wonderful ambiance of the FORST Braugarten contributed significantly to the success of the closing ceremony, which was again entertainingly moderated this year by Alex Tabarelli. After a brief welcome address by host Cellina von Mannstein, Governor Arno Kompatscher, and Markus Ortler, President of the FISI South Tyrolean Winter Sports Federation, the Rookies of the Year, powered by Autoindustriale, were honored.

The climbers of the past winter are Luca Pietroboni (cross-country skiing/ASC Sesvenna), Nina Castiglioni (tobogganing/ASV Latsch), Julian Huber (biathlon/ASV Antholzertal), Maximilian Gartner (ski jumping-Noko/SC Val Gardena), Anna Mammone (snowboarding/ASV Welschnofen), Max von Aufschnaiter (freestyle skiing/SC Val Gardena), Nicole Bazzanella (freestyle snowboarding/Alpe di Siusi Skiteam), Nadine Trocker (alpine skiing/Alpe di Siusi Skiteam) and Alex Silbernagl (alpine skiing/Alpe di Siusi Skiteam).

When the world champions rock the stage

The overall winners of the various competition series held last winter for junior athletes, supported by Raiffeisen, Marlene, Alperia, and Athesia, were also honored. Athletes from the general age group who celebrated major successes in 2024/25 were also brought onto the stage. Roland Fischnaller won the parallel giant slalom world championship title for the second time in March. Ski crosser Yanick Gunsch also raced to World Championship bronze in St. Moritz, in the team event alongside Jole Galli.

Florian Clara, Patrick Pigneter, and Evelin Lanthaler were honored by FISI President Markus Ortler. © Camilla Pizzini

Alex Vinatzer from Val Gardena was crowned World Champion in the Alpine Team event. Also honored were the three best natural track lugers of all time: Evelin Lanthaler, Patrick Pigneter, and Florian Clara, who announced their retirement from active luge at the end of the season. They also received enthusiastic applause from the young athletes and many other guests in attendance. Roby Bernardi (SC Val Gardena) won the Coach of the Year award.

The funding pot

55.000 euros from the funding pot for South Tyrolean winter sports clubs
During the evening, Markus Ortler pointed out the summer events such as the Bike Challenge starting on July 18 in Tscherms with the grand finale on September 3 in Antholz (with a large Summer Olympics) and the Golf Charity Tournament on August 23 in Passeier.

The FORST beer garden was a dream come true. © Camilla Pizzini

Finally, the funds from the FISI funding pot were distributed, into which a total of €55.000 was paid across the season. SC Gröden received €2931, followed by ASV Villnöß (€2319) and ASV Ridnaun (€2194). Forty South Tyrolean clubs are receiving financial support as part of this initiative.

"We have a total of 120 winter sports clubs in the country, and our state squads train over 100 young athletes, some of whom we have celebrated great successes with. We invest almost our entire budget in working with young athletes. These funds are provided by our many partners, whom I would like to thank once again from the bottom of my heart. Now the winter is finally over. I wish everyone a wonderful and relaxing summer and am already looking forward to the 2026 Olympic winter with the biathlon competitions in Antholz," President Markus Ortler concluded.