by InTrieste
A dazzling Sunday of racing unfolded at the Junior Alpine Skiing World Championships, as France clinched gold in the highly anticipated team parallel event, defeating Sweden 4-0 under the crisp mountain sun. The event, held on the final stretch of Tarvisio’s “Di Prampero” slope, showcased the next generation of alpine talent in a format that delivered thrilling head-to-head duels.
The competition, a signature fixture at major FIS events, featured the top 16 nations in the junior rankings, with teams composed of two men and two women. France’s squad—Brand, Skabar, Meyer, and Heude—proved unstoppable in the final, leaving Sweden’s Backlund, Larsson, Hedin, and Ax Swartz to settle for silver. The United States, represented by Bocock, Reed, Moritz, and Buzek, secured bronze by besting Switzerland 3-1 in the consolation final.
For Italy, the home team, hopes were high after a commanding 4-0 victory over Slovenia in the round of 16. However, a quarterfinal showdown against Sweden ended in heartbreak. Despite a 2-2 tie, the Swedes advanced based on a cumulative time advantage of just 56 hundredths of a second.
A Celebration of Nations
Beyond the competition, the championships celebrated international camaraderie with the “Festa delle Nazioni,” an event organized for the 60 participating teams. The evening also featured the awards ceremony and the bib draw for the women’s giant slalom, set to take place on Monday.
Updated Medal Standings
After four days of racing, Switzerland leads the medal count with two golds and four silvers, totaling six podium finishes. France follows closely with two golds—including Sunday’s team parallel victory—and one bronze. Germany also boasts two gold medals, while Austria, Sweden, the United States, and Italy have each added to their respective tallies.
Current Medal Table:
- Switzerland – 2 gold, 4 silver (6 total)
- France – 2 gold, 1 bronze (3 total)
- Germany – 2 gold (2 total)
- Austria – 1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze (5 total)
- Sweden – 2 silver (2 total)
- United States – 2 bronze (2 total)
- Italy – 1 bronze (1 total)
Looking Ahead: Women’s Giant Slalom
Monday marks the start of the technical disciplines, beginning with the women’s giant slalom on the Priesnig B course. Among the competitors is Italy’s Giorgia Collomb, a gold medalist at the recent Saalbach event and a rising star on the World Cup circuit. The first run is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., with the second at 1:30 p.m. The evening will see the men’s giant slalom bib draw in Piazza Unità d’Italia, setting the stage for Tuesday’s competition.
The championships will conclude Wednesday and Thursday with the slalom events.
Sustainability in Focus
As the world of winter sports grapples with the effects of climate change, the FIS has taken steps to promote environmental awareness through the SNOWMORROW Tarvisio 2025 initiative. Athletes, coaches, and fans engaged in interactive activities aimed at fostering sustainability in skiing. The event coincided with International Polar Bear Day, underscoring the urgent need to protect Arctic ecosystems.
For those interested in further details, FIS has made resources available online, including video highlights and sustainability discussions.
How to Follow the Action
Fans can catch the remaining events live on FIS TV and the FIS YouTube channel, with real-time results available on the official Tarvisio 2025 website.
With several marquee races still to come, the Junior World Championships continue to deliver high-stakes action—and a glimpse into the future of alpine skiing.
