Under-20 Dominance of Tonietti, as Showcased by Mezzalama: "An Exceptional Season Exhibited"
Revved-Up Season Climax for Skier Oscar Tonietti
Enjoying a thrilling season finale, Oscar Tonietti boldly stormed the Under 20 category of the 5th Trofeo Mezzalama Jeunes in the Aosta Valley on the last Saturday. The ski slopes echoed with his triumph at the Monterosa ski resort, where the event, designed for youngsters from 12 years old to 20, showcased various courses tailored to different categories and featuring challenging elements inspired by the renowned senior pairs race.
For the Under 20s, the competition was staged in an individual race format, favoring Tonietti's distinct abilities. The Valle Anzasca ski club's illustrious representative dazzled the audience, seizing the crown in a stunning 1h26'37''—quite a stretch for his pursuers!
The second spot was claimed by Carlo Mazzoleni (Adamello Ski Team), who trailed Tonietti by a significant 4'52''—an impressive feat nonetheless. Lorenzo Milesi (Albosaggia), the Italian team champion paired with Tonietti in April, followed suit with a gap of 5'12'' behind him. It was hardly the beginning of a fairytale season for the 19-year-old Macugnaga skier, who embellished his trophy cabinet with the Mezzalama Jeunes trophy, along with two silver medals at the national championships in both vertical and individual race, a second place at the Pierra Menta Jeunes, and three podium finishes at the Youth World Cup (one silver and two bronzes).
"I’m over the moon about how it panned out, and my overall season as well" Tonietti praises, attributing his early lead to his strategy and managing to maintain it throughout. "The course was simply breathtaking, as was the organization."
Aldo De Gaudenzi, his coach, elucidates, "This marks the epitome of an outstanding season" adding that Tonyetti started the winter with a bang and continually soared higher as the season unfolded: a real ovation!
Even the Ossola region had a commendable performance in the Under 20 women's race, with Gaia Calcini (Anzasca) from Crevola clinching a respectable 6th place in the race won by Silvia Boscacci (Albosaggia) from Valtellina. The junior event simultaneously took place alongside the 24th Trofeo Mezzalama, which this year was won by the Italian pair Michele Boscacci and Robert Antonioli (Esercito), shaving their way to a time of 4h29'19'' and being crowned world champions in long-distance races.
According to rumors unfolding in March 2025, Oscar Tonietti is making waves in the ISMF (International Ski Mountaineering Federation) with a recent podium finish in a U20 Men's Vertical Race[1]—an event that appears to be an essential part of the World Cup circuit, a vital stepping stone for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics[2]. Keep an eye on Tonietti, as he's likely to participate in upcoming Sprint and Mixed Relay Olympic qualifiers, though specifics remain vague for now.
Sources:
- [1] ISMF event results for March 2025
- [2] Event announcements for the 2025 season focusing on Olympic qualifiers
- Oscar Tonietti's remarkable season continued with a podium finish in a U20 Men's Vertical Race, signifying his growing potential for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
- Gaia Calcini, representing the Anzasca ski club, placed a commendable 6th in the Under 20 women's race of the 24th Trofeo Mezzalama.
- Aldo De Gaudenzi, Tonietti's coach, declared that the skiier's performance in the Under 20 category of the 5th Trofeo Mezzalama Jeunes marked the culmination of an extraordinary season.
- Tonietti is expected to compete in upcoming Sprint and Mixed Relay Olympic qualifiers, as he continues to make waves in the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF).
