20 nations and over 100 athletes at the Para Nordic Ski World Cup events. Seven athletes for the Italian delegation, of which four from the GSPD
From 24 to 28 January, at the Nordic Ski Arena in Toblach, the competitions of were held Para Nordic Ski World Cup. The stage, the first to be hosted in Italy, was attended by 20 nations and beyond 100 athletes.
The Italian delegation, consisting of 7 athletes, 4 of whom from Defence Paralympic Sports Group, and by the technical staff, it was hosted by Dobbiaco Airport Detachment, of the 1st Air Region Command of the Italian Air Force, at the Villa Irma Mountain Lodge where the headquarters of the Italian team has been established.
Athletes from various sports clubs – including the Defence Paralympic Sports Group and the Fiamme Azzurre Sports Group – achieved excellent results, with the performance of Giuseppe Romele which, in the category sitting male, he won the 10-kilometre mass start and 10-kilometre races mass start and the 5-kilometre mass start, also securing a second place in the race sprint thus moving to the top of the World Cup standings in their category. The athlete's results were also notable Michele Biglione, who in the same category achieved ninth place in the 5 kilometres sprint. Also worthy of note are the performances of all 4 GSPD athletes who, despite the short period of cross-country skiing practice, around 15 months, managed to drop below 200 points in the Ranking, thereby acquiring the requirements for a potential move from the B team to the A team.
Present at the awards ceremony were the Air Force General Francesco Vestito, Commander of the 1st Air Region of Milan, and the Commander of the Dobbiaco Airport Detachment, Lieutenant Colonel Nicola Bolzan.
“It was truly exciting and an honour for me to watch the competitions, but personally, it was above all a pleasure to present awards to our skiers, who achieved excellent results”, he declared General Dress. “The team spirit and competitive tenacity shown by the athletes were an example for the personnel of the Detachment and for the guests of the Villa Irma Mountain Lodge, which provided logistical support and hospitality to the sports group. Everyone won: athletes, coaches and public”.
The Head of the Italian delegation, Paolo Marchetti, thanked the Italian Air Force for the support received and for the hospitality that enabled the athletes to give their best in a friendly and convivial atmosphere.
It Dobbiaco Airport Detachment It has been operational since May 1966; its mission is to provide support for mountain survival courses (Flight Safety) and to the Departments in training as well as carrying out the survey of the surface meteorological parameters. An airport detachment projected to increase capabilities related to the concept of “Combat Service Support”and“Real Life Supportt”, supporting Air Force units in training and capable of providing operational and logistic support, both within the Armed Forces and for Civil Protection “dual use”.
