Community, competition, and the road ahead

On Tuesday, 21 January, the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games showcased exciting parallel giant slalom action, where top-tier snowboarding talent was matched by the strong sense of community among the student-athletes.

As much as the competition highlighted their skills, it was the camaraderie that defined the day, showing how these international racers support each other both on and off the slopes.

In the women’s PGS, Carmen Kainz of Austria claimed the gold medal, with Elisa Fava of host Italy earning silver and Noa Kanazawa of Japan securing bronze. On the men’s side, Tervel Zamfirov from Bulgaria took the top spot, while Junho Ma of Korea finished second and Fabian Lantschner from Italy placed third.

Podium finishes aside, what stood out was the sense of unity among the athletes. The hugs, shared laughs, and high-fives on display reflected not only the fierce rivalry but also relationships that come from years of racing together on the world stage.

The level of competition in these events is undeniably high, and as Ma noted, it’s the perfect preparation for bigger races ahead. “We have athletes here, like Dominic Burgstaller of Austria, who finished fifth in this FISU event but placed second in the last World Cup race in Bulgaria, and Tervel Zamfirov, who finished fourth in that same competition,” said the men’s silver medallist. “This is a quality event, and it plays a crucial role in our season.”

Beyond the competitive aspect, Ma, who studies at the Korea National Sport University in Seoul, also highlighted the personal layer that makes these multi-nation events meaningful. “I’ve been racing with these athletes for years, and over time, we’ve grown really close,” he said. “It’s great to see familiar faces at every competition — it makes the journey much more enjoyable.”

Fabian Lantschner of Italy echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the “family-like” atmosphere that has formed among the athletes. The 22-year-old, who has been racing since he was seven, shared how close-knit the community has become.

“We all travel together, spend most of our winter on the road, and see each other often,” said the student from Free University of Bozen – Bolzano. “It’s a family here — everyone knows everyone, and that makes all the difference.”

Lantschner, who is also studying social education, mentioned that while competing at home in Italy is always a special experience, the international connections he’s built over the years make every competition feel familiar, no matter where it takes place.

The FISU Games are a key stop for these athletes. With a fast-paced schedule that takes them across various European countries in quick succession, the journey can be demanding. However, for many, it’s an opportunity to build momentum, as the next stop after Bardonecchia is straight to Slovenia for the World Cup.

But for now, competitors turn their attention to the last snowboarding events of Torino 2025, the women’s and men’s parallel slalom races set to take place on Wednesday, 22 January.

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.

Written by Mackenzie Barwell, FISU Young Reporter, Canada

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.

We warmly thank FISU Official Partner Qiaodan Ltd. which provides remarkable uniforms to FISU Family and International Technical Officials since 2015. Qiaodan is a valuable partner for FISU as it continued to provide its support during the postponement of events due to the global pandemic, and recently extended the relationship with FISU up to and including 2025.