Giacomo Bertagnolli

Related Images

Italian athletes Giacomo Poli and Federica Maspero.

Related News

Bertagnolli seals bronze for Italy at World Champs

Maiden world titles for skiers Bertagnolli, Gourley

Giacomo Bertagnolli really came of age at the 2016-17 World Para Alpine Skiing season.

Along with guide Fabrizio Casal, the youngster won his first world title on home snow in Tarvisio, Italy, alongside two other podium finishes.

He also followed on from his overall World Cup win in 2015-16 with top three finishes in the super-G, super combined and slalom. He finished second overall in the men's visually impaired behind Slovakia's Miroslav Haraus.

Bertagnolli and Casal enjoy a close friendship that has enabled them to reach the top of the podium. Having been to school with each other the pair decided to transfer their relationship to competition with much success so far.

They will still be teenagers by the time they line up at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and carry the hopes of Italy on their shoulders.

Following their success at the World Championships in Tarvisio, they enjoyed local and national media exposure as people got to hear about their performances.

They managed the pressure of competing at a home Worlds very well, which could give them an edge as they prepare to make their Paralympic debut in 2018.

Trying to stop them will be Canada's four time 2017 world champion and defending giant slalom Paralympic champion Mac Marcoux and guide Jack Leitch.