Industry News
On Saturday, August 12, 2023, Norwegian ski racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde was awarded the Dolomites Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the ski racer who collects the most World Cup points during the race week in Val Gardena/Gröden, Italy. The Norwegian ski racer had won the special prize last December, after placing first in the Saslong Classic Downhill race and fifth in the Sprint-Downhill race, scoring him a total of 145 points ahead of France’s Johan Clarey.
2022 Dolomites Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy Top 5:
1st Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) 145 points
2nd Johan Clarey (FRA) 130
3rd Marco Odermatt (SUI) 116
4th Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) 100
5th Matthias Mayer (AUT) 82
The Dolomites Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy consists of a special €5,000 prize money, a wooden bust, as well as short vacation in Val Gardena with a guided climb to the Sassolungo/Langkofel peak. The Sassolungo is the tallest peak in South Tyrol, Italy, with a peak elevation of 3,181m (10,46ft). The name means “long rock”, as the peak stretches 1km (0.625 miles) in width.
The wooden bust is featured on the ‘Ski Champions Walk’ in Selva/Wolkenstein, Italy. The Ski Champions Walk is a 2.1km (1.3 miles) hiking trail in South Tyrol, dedicated to all those who have won a World Cup race since 1969 or a World Championship race in 1970 in Val Gardena/Gröden, as well as to those who believed in the idea of skiing in Val Gardena over the years. The hike is a journey through the history of skiing in the area for which you can download a free audio-guide narrated by former FIS President Erich Demetz, who brought the World Cup to Val Gardena/Gröden.
It is the fourth time Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has won the trophy after winning in 2017, 2018 and 2020. He traveled to Italy for the unveiling of his statue and mini-vacation with his parents, his brother and family.
”It is no secret that I feel at home in Gröden — not just in winter. This area is stunning also in summer. The green meadows, the beautiful mountains, and in addition I feel welcomed here with open arms. It is fantastic. Whether I will climb the Sassolungo? Let’s see, it is tempting.”
The Norwegian skier is looking forward to the 56th Saslong Classic which will take place from December 15-16, 2023. The 30-year-old admits that he needs to train a bit more now that he is no longer in his twenties, “At the end of August we will go with the team to Chile for a month and train on snow there. Recently I trained briefly at Passo Stelvio and did some training runs. I am looking forward to the start of the season in Sölden [Austria] and of course I cannot wait to come back to Gröden in December.”
The Italian ski resort Val Gardena/Gröden is located in South Tyrol, which is in the northern part of Italy, close to the border with Austria. The ski area stretches 115 miles (181km) of groomed slopes serviced by 79 ski lifts and cable cars. It has been a regular host of World Cup events and is currently bidding for the 2029 FIS Alpine World Championships.
