Dlf Alessandria Youth Archers Secure Podium Finishes at Trofeo Pinocchio Regional Phase

SETTIMO TORINESE, Italy — The next generation of Italian archery talent is beginning to crystallize in the Piedmont region, as Dlf Alessandria delivered a commanding performance at the winter phase of the regional Trofeo Pinocchio. Competing on April 25 in Settimo Torinese, the youth squad secured multiple podium finishes, signaling a strong upward trajectory for the club’s developmental program.

The Trofeo Pinocchio serves as a critical gateway for emerging archers, specifically designed for youth athletes born between 2013 and 2017. For many of these competitors, the event represents their first formal introduction to high-stakes regional competition, bridging the gap between club practice and sanctioned athletic contests.

Podium Success in Recurve Categories

Under the guidance of technical coaches Germano Giardini and Thomas Pino, Dlf Alessandria demonstrated significant depth across the recurve bow categories. The recurve bow—the only style of bow permitted in the Olympic Games—requires a blend of immense physical stability and mental discipline, a combination that the Alessandria youth displayed in abundance.

Matilde Pino emerged as a standout in the 2013 age class, claiming the silver medal in a tightly contested field. Her performance was bolstered by teammate Mirko Oteri, who narrowly missed the podium to finish in fourth place, ensuring that Dlf Alessandria remained a dominant force in the oldest age bracket of the competition.

The success continued in the younger divisions (spanning the 2015, 2016, and 2017 birth years). Sonia Rapetti secured a bronze medal, adding to the club’s hardware tally and highlighting the program’s ability to produce competitive athletes across multiple age gaps.

Building a Sustainable Pipeline

For those unfamiliar with the structure of European youth sports, these regional phases are more than just trophy hunts; they are diagnostic tools for coaches. By placing athletes in a competitive environment early, coaches Giardini and Pino can identify which archers possess the temperament for national-level competition.

The breadth of the results—with several athletes finishing in the top seven—suggests that Dlf Alessandria is not relying on a single “star” athlete but is instead building a comprehensive “vivaio,” or youth nursery. This systemic growth is essential for the long-term health of the sport in the Alessandria province, ensuring a steady stream of talent as athletes move into the cadet and junior ranks.

The consistent placement of both female and male archers indicates a balanced developmental approach, with the club successfully fostering talent across the board regardless of gender or specific age bracket.

The Road Ahead

The Trofeo Pinocchio is widely regarded as the starting block for competitive archery in Italy. The experience gained in Settimo Torinese will provide these young athletes with the psychological seasoning necessary for the remainder of the competitive season.

As these archers refine their form and increase their training volume, the focus will shift toward maintaining consistency under pressure—the primary differentiator between a regional podium finish and national success.

The club’s next checkpoints will involve continuing their training cycles to prepare for subsequent phases of the regional calendar and potential national qualifiers.

For the latest updates on youth archery and regional standings, follow the official announcements from the local sporting bodies in Piedmont.

Do you think youth-focused tournaments like the Trofeo Pinocchio are the best way to identify future Olympic talent? Let us know in the comments below.