Kvitfjell/Hafjell, Norway – A 19-member Italian team will compete at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Finals, scheduled to take place on the Norwegian slopes of Kvitfjell (speed events) and Hafjell (technical events) from Thursday, March 19th to Wednesday, March 25th, 2026. The season-ending event is reserved for the top 25 skiers in each discipline’s rankings, with additional wild cards awarded to Olympic gold medalists from the recent Milano Cortina Games and reigning junior world champions.
The Italian squad boasts nine male skiers set to compete. In downhill, the team will feature Giovanni Franzoni, Dominik Paris, Florian Schieder, Mattia Casse, Benjamin Alliod, and Christof Innerhofer. Franzoni, Paris, Casse, Innerhofer, and Guglielmo Bosca will represent Italy in super-G. Alex Vinatzer will be the sole Italian entry in giant slalom, while Alex Vinatzer and Tommaso Sala will contest the slalom event.
On the women’s side, ten Italian athletes will participate, competing without Federica Brignone, who concluded her season earlier. Laura Pirovano, Sofia Goggia, Nicol Delago, Elena Curtoni, and Nadia Delago will race in downhill. Sofia Goggia, Elena Curtoni, Laura Pirovano, Roberta Melesi, and Asja Zenere will compete in super-G. The giant slalom lineup includes Lara Della Mea, Sofia Goggia, Asja Zenere, Laura Pirovano, and Anna Trocker. Lara Della Mea, Martina Peterlini, and Anna Trocker will represent Italy in slalom.
Anna Trocker secured her spot in both slalom and giant slalom thanks to a remarkable double victory at the recent Junior World Championships in Narvik. A notable rule allows athletes with over 500 points in the overall standings to participate in disciplines where they didn’t initially qualify, meaning both Franzoni and Pirovano could potentially race in giant slalom as well.
The World Cup Finals represent the culmination of a season of intense competition, and the Italian team is poised to make a strong showing. The event provides a final opportunity for skiers to showcase their skills before the off-season and build momentum heading into the next competition cycle. For fans following the sport, the Finals often deliver dramatic racing and unexpected results as athletes push their limits one last time.
This year’s Finals are particularly significant as they follow closely on the heels of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The success of the Italian team at the Olympics will undoubtedly add extra excitement and national pride to their performance in Norway. The wild card entries, awarded to Olympic champions, highlight the connection between the two major events in the alpine skiing calendar.
The dual venues of Kvitfjell and Hafjell offer contrasting challenges for the skiers. Kvitfjell, known for its demanding downhill course, will test the speed and technical prowess of the athletes. Hafjell, with its steeper slopes and more technical sections, will favor those with exceptional slalom and giant slalom skills. This variety ensures a thrilling competition across all disciplines.
Looking ahead, the Italian team will be aiming to build on their successes and continue to develop young talent. The performance of skiers like Anna Trocker, who has demonstrated immense potential at the junior level, will be closely watched. The team’s overall strategy will likely focus on strengthening their positions in both speed and technical events to maintain their competitiveness on the global stage.
The 2025-26 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season has been notable for several milestones, including Lucas Pinheiro Braathen becoming the first skier to win a World Cup race representing Brazil, and Eduard Hallberg achieving the first Finnish podium finish in 18 years. [2] These moments underscore the growing diversity and global reach of the sport.
The World Cup Finals in Norway promise to be a spectacular event, showcasing the best alpine skiers in the world. Fans can expect thrilling races, dramatic finishes, and a celebration of the sport’s highest achievements. The event will be a fitting conclusion to a season filled with excitement and memorable moments.
The next confirmed checkpoint for alpine skiing fans will be the announcement of the official start lists for each event at the World Cup Finals, followed by live coverage of the races from Kvitfjell and Hafjell. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued updates and analysis throughout the competition.
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