Piller’s triumph inspires Bardonecchia’s young dreamers

Switzerland’s Sue Piller secured her second gold medal of the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games alpine skiing competition on Tuesday, 21 January, leaving the crowd in awe with her sensational performance in the women’s slalom.

The 19-year-old, representing the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport, clocked an impressive 1:19.14 to beat compatriot Amélie Klopfenstein (1:19.28), who herself edged Margherita Cecere of host Italy by one hundredth of a second for silver.

“The slalom run is not my best discipline,” the champion admitted. “The crazy part is I did not have any training for this.” Despite her modest expectations, Piller displayed remarkable skill and resilience, further cementing her status as a standout athlete of the Games.

One of the most heart-warming moments of the slalom final was the sight of local students from Bardonecchia Primary School cheering enthusiastically and reaching out to congratulate the athletes after their races. For Piller, this support was especially touching. “I found it so cute seeing the children in the stands cheering for us. I really hope they are inspired to see me and all the other athletes ski,” the gold medallist said.

Mikaela, a tutor from the school, emphasized the importance of the children witnessing such multi-sports events. “We live in a town where snow is important, and skiing is a big part of our lives. It’s essential that the children see not just skiing but also all the other sporting events happening here.”

Most of the kids in the stands are already learning to ski, including Linda, who described the experience as “so exciting.” For Mateo, a second-grader, the event offered a new perspective. “Seeing the athletes ski between the poles is important because I have never seen this type of skiing.”

When their tutor, Elisa, asked if they wanted to be like the alpine skiers they had just watched, the children responded with a resounding “Yes!” Moments like these are not only a celebration of athleticism but also a source of inspiration for future generations.

Adding to the crowd’s excitement, local talent Margherita Cecere added another bronze to her Torino 2025 collection, a performance that was met with loud cheers from the Italian fans, who celebrated her grit and determination. Competing on home snow at Bardonecchia’s Campo Smith, she had already reached the podium in the giant slalom earlier in the Games.

Among those inspired by Cecere’s achievements was Viktoria, also a young student from Bardonecchia Primary School, who dreams of one day skiing for Italy on the international stage. “This is an important race for Italy and I dream of being a professional alpine skier one day,” she said.

Alpine skiing at Torino 2025 concludes on Wednesday, 22 January with the men’s slalom.

The Torino 2025 FISU World University Games take place from 13-23 January. Watch all the competitions live on fisu.tv. Click on the link to find the full schedule.

The Young Reporters Programme exemplifies FISU’s commitment to more than sports competitions. At every FISU World University Games, a group of talented aspiring sports journalists are chosen to cover the competition.