Little is said about him now but for years he was the Italian ski champion which has glued thousands of supporters to the TV during its competitions. With Alberto Tomba many have dreamed and rejoiced for his international victories. A very respectable palmares for a champion of all time. Now at almost 54 years of age, another well-deserved recognition arrives for him. Which one was chosen athlete of the century on the occasion of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Italian winter sports federation. In a survey involving 32 athletes he finished first. A recognition that once again confirms the affection that Italians have for this great champion.
Alberto Tomba beats Gustav Thoeni
The outcome of this competition between champions unveiled in Milan on the final evening of the “Fisi 100 Celebration” event which took place at Hangar Bicocca. A ceremony to retrace the most important years of the federation and talk about the great successes of the Italians. The evening was also attended by the Minister of Sport, Vincenzo Spadafora, the president of Coni, Giovanni Malagò and the president of Fisi, Flavio Roda. And so skiing is ready to start again, like other Italian sports despite the difficult and complex moment we are experiencing due to the emergency. Covid and the rules to be respected to avoid contagion.
The Federation's survey of 32 athletes, including Alberto Tomba
Competing for the title of "Athlete of the century" for Fisi were 32 Italian ski champions: from Paris, Goggia and Brignone, from Nones, Belmondo, the two Di Centa, De Zolt, Albarello, Eugenio Monti, Armin Zoeggeler. One month to vote: Tomba obtained 61% of the votes, while Gustav Thoeni 39, considered the greatest of the "Blue Avalanche" and himself the coach of the Bolognese champion. The symbolic race promoted by the Fisi in collaboration with the Gazzetta dello Sport for the centenary of the foundation.
Tomba's hits for a decade
Alberto Tomba was an athlete known both for his exceptional skill and for his aggressive style on the track and outgoing in sight. He was among the best champions of alpine skiing from 1986 to 1998 competing in the specialties of the giant slalom and the special slalom. He has obtained fifty overall victories in the World Cup, two Olympic golds in Calgary 1988 and in Albertville 1992. His palmaresi counts 5 medals at the Olympics. In particular 3 golds, 2 silvers. At the World Cup, 2 golds, 2 bronzes. In the World Cup he was the winner of the World Cup in 1995, winner of the Giant Slalom World Cup in 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1995, Winner of the Special Slalom World Cup in 1988, 1992, 1994 and in 1995.
The restart of skiing despite the pandemic
Now the start of the season, still full of unknowns: in Soelden on 17 and 18 October the female giant and male giant. The ceremony of the hundred years of the Federation with many Italian athletes guests was an opportunity to talk about the restart of this sport. It will be a difficult year, but the desire to compete and return to make supporters dream is great.
