Nicol Delago: A winter fairytale PINOCCHIO

PINOCCHIO

Atale that has captivated generations and remains popular throughout the world to this day, having been translated into nu merous languages, has made its return to the silver screen. Yes, it’s Pinocchio, legendary wooden puppet and eternal miscreant, brou ght to life as a well-behaved, studious young boy. Every bit as astounding as the story itself is the fact that the star of Matteo Garrone’s modernised version of the film that is taking Italy by storm is… from Val Gardena! The puppet that Roberto Benigni’s Geppetto sculpts from wood is none other than the work of Gardenese artist Bruno Walpoth, whose hands can be seen in the film for a fleeting second while he is working. When interviewed by Francesca Gonzato for the daily newspaper

“Alto Adige,” Walpoth confirmed that acting together with Benigni was a thrilling experience. Meticulously scrupulous director Matteo Garrone decided on Bruno Walpoth after an exhaustive search for a sculptor who specialised in creating the human form - and our fellow Gardena man is extremely proud of the fact. The wood selected to create Pinoc chio was durmast oak, which grows in the pre-Alpine regions and, as you can see in the film, is a yellowi sh-brown. And so our Val Gardena has reached fame once again, breathing life into a new version of Pinocchio - modern but always true to the original tale, and with an oft-forgotten yet apposite truth: That of relinquishing the life of a puppet in order to become real men.

PILAT – SKIING INTO THE CENTRE OF ORTISEI: A DREAM COME TRUE

The historic slope leading down from the Alpe di Siusi to the centre of Ortisei is about to be reinstated: In autumn 2019, works got underway to restore the old slope that descends from the mountain station of the Alpe di Siusi and links up with the Ronc and Palmer skiing area of the town. The project was proposed by the tourist association of Ortisei and supported by the local administration, and got the go-ahead from the Provincial Council of Bolzano. The new slope will take the same route as the existing piste, which has fallen into disuse over the past few decades. Apart from a brief stretch in the centre it follows the original route, where entire generations of local skiers have got their grounding in the sport. The project

will be of immense benefit to the area, as it will become an important point of reference for ski lift facilities and skiing infrastructure in the centre of Ortisei, and enhance the tourist image as a whole. 7 bridges totalling 700 metres in length will be built along the 3,900 metres of the slope. The final cost for the restoration of the Pilat slope will be around 7 million euros, not counting snow-blowing systems. The project is a source of great joy to the promoters and the entire skiing population, for whom the reopening of the Pilat slope represents a vital step in ensuring that future generations will grow up with a passion for skiing. The Pilat slope is scheduled to be open to the public from the winter season 2022.

Leo Senoner

SKI CHAMPION ALEX VINATZER

MOTIVATED, GOOD HUMOURED, AND AS FAST AS LIGHTNING

Everybody in Val Gardena knows him and, now that he has taken the Junior Sla lom World Champion title in 2019 and a podium in the World Cup, Alex Vinatzer has also become so mething of a household name far beyond the national borders. To gether with his two fellow racers from Val Gardena, Nicole Delago and Nadja Delago, the 20 year-old athlete from Selva is a world-class skier of great promise in the Ita lian team. For the latest issue of Gardena Magazine, the likeable skier from Selva joined us for a chat about himself and, naturally, about skiing.

Gardena Magazine: Professional sportsman and top athlete – It sounds like a dream job of fame and success. What are the fac tors that really count in making it to the top in ski racing? Alex Vinatzer: It takes good pre paration and a lot of training; otherwise it wouldn’t be possible to get a podium place. Gardena Magazine: Does the spe

ed never scare you? Alex Vinatzer: Not in the least. I wouldn’t do it if it did.

Gardena Magazine: There are a lot of expectations on the young members of the national team. Does the pressure get to you? Alex Vinatzer: Naturally, the journalists put pressure on you and the expectations are high, but you have to be able to live with it.

skier’s body have to withstand? Alex Vinatzer: Above all, many hours of training very week, and the odd fall.

Gardena Magazine: What helps you to relax? Alex Vinatzer: Reading or going for a walk.

Gardena Magazine: What did you think when the American mo del Kinsey Wolanski ran out in front of you at the World Cup Slalom in Schladming and trig gered the timers? Alex Vinatzer: I didn’t even notice at first. Afterwards, I thought it was funny.

Gardena Magazine: Humour se ems to be one of your strong points. What other three words would you use to describe your self? Alex Vinatzer: Calm, positive and motivated.

Gardena Magazine: Do you re member any other exciting or funny incidents during races? Alex Vinatzer: Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. Kristian Ghedina had a deer run out in front of him, though.

Gardena Magazine: How do you motivate yourself before a race? Alex Vinatzer: I’m always motiva ted, to be honest, so I don’t have to do anything in particular.

Gardena Magazine: More than anything, skiing involves a lot of training. What are your take aways from this? Alex Vinatzer: I’m still young, but I can say that I’ve learnt something: When you want to achieve so mething, you have to work for it!

Gardena Magazine: And in sum mer? Alex Vinatzer: In summer I train six days a week morning and afternoon, so I never have much time for holidays at any time of the year.

Gardena Magazine: What spor ting achievement are you particularly proud of? Alex Vinatzer: Of my victory at the Junior World Championships in 2019.

Gardena Magazine: Do you just train for slalom, or are you thinking about taking up other disciplines? Alex Vinatzer: I also train in giant slalom and hope to improve my speed in the future.

Gardena Magazine: When did you first ski, and what was your first victory? Alex Vinatzer: I first skied when I was three years old. I think I won my first race when I was seven.

Gardena Magazine: There are around 80 slopes in the Garde na resort. Do you have a favourite? Alex Vinatzer: The three Ciampi noi slopes.

Gardena Magazine: South Tyrol cuisine is famed for its deli cacies. What’s your favourite meal? Alex Vinatzer: To be honest, I enjoy all of it and it would be a hard choice to make.

Gardena Magazine: Can skiers always eat whatever they want? Alex Vinatzer: They can, yes, but it’s not healthy. We do watch what we eat.

Gardena Magazine: Can you ima gine being anything other than a skier? Alex Vinatzer: Not for the moment.

Gardena Magazine: As a top ath lete, you travel the world. Why do you like coming back to Val Gardena? Alex Vinatzer: Because it‘s my home, and it’s just beautiful.

Gardena Magazine: Val Gardena in winter or summer? Alex Vinatzer: In winter.

Gardena Magazine: Do you have your own personal motto? Alex Vinatzer: Never take yourself too seriously!