Giacomo Bertagnolli

A champion born in Cavalese...

In paralympic skiing, he has won, among other things, 8 medals in the last two Paralympics. In 2018, and in 2022 in Beijing.

"Since I was little, I have always skied. Living in Cavalese, in Trentino, I have always had plenty of ski slopes close to home". He got his passion from his dad, who put him on skis for the first time at 3 years old.

Visually impaired since birth, Giacomo discovered the world of the Paralympics at 12, when he still didn't know how far he could go. "I learned that there were these competitions that gave people like me, with disabilities, the opportunity to compete equally with other people with the same or similar disabilities".

Giacomo has 5% vision in both eyes. Incredibly, he has managed to get around this disability, using the many other talents and skills that he has continued to develop over the years. Reflexes, balance, resilience, and a great deal of courage. And perhaps what really helps him to win, the ability to keep anxiety at bay, stay calm and keep a cool head from the starting line. This is partly because Giacomo is never alone.

Andrea, my guide

His guardian angel is Andrea Ravelli, his guide.

"In paralympic skiing, because I am visually impaired, I need a guide who skis in front of me and gives me all the directions to stay on the track. For the past 5 years, Andrea has been this figure".

Giacomo and Andrea were born on the same day, although in different years. "When I am skiing, he is always in front of me, because this allows me to train to 100%". The stronger the relationship between athlete and guide, the easier things are.

"Logically, to stay ahead of me, he has to ski much faster than me, because otherwise he would end up limiting me. I am aiming to reach his level, but I probably never will, because otherwise I would be competing with the able-bodied athletes...!". But you never know, considering who we are talking about!

Awaiting Milano Cortina 2026

Giacomo sees success year after year, and while he studies economics and finance - his other great passion - he remains focused on the 2026 Winter Olympics.

"The next Winter Paralympics will be in 2026, and we are holding it at home, so I will be skiing in Cortina, right near here. Here in the valley, they will also hold several Nordic skiing olympic events: cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping. On the paralympic side, my valley will play a central role, with the cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions".

His hope? That the audience for the Paralympics is big; really big. Because there are athletes with incredible stories to tell. Athletes who offer intense emotions to all lovers of sport and life!