Lazio Athletes Triumph at the Unique Coppa Vettore
The Sci Club Ascoli has revived the Coppa Vettore ski race after a ten-year absence on the highest peak of the Monti Sibillini. Competitors raced on the Pista della Ciaule at 2,476 meters, using the season’s final snow patches in an event that required mules to transport all technical equipment.
How was the Coppa Vettore organized?
The event occurred without the aid of ski lifts. According to event details, all gear—including giant slalom poles, timers, skis, and boots—was carried by mules from the Forca di Presta pass to the race track. Athletes reached the starting gate by hiking up on foot.
Which athletes competed and won?
The competition featured four disciplines: alpine skiing, snowboard, telemark, and ski mountaineering. Eleven Master athletes from four Lazio-based teams participated in the event.
Virginia Garrafa of Snowside Roma won Category C. Angelica Lucera of Aliski Racing took second place in the Youth-Senior category, and Claudio Apollonio of Aliski Racing finished third in the Master B category.
Other participants included Leonardo Castelnuovo, Mauro Chiarelli, and Massimo Lucera from Aliski Racing; Alessandro Castellana, Edoardo Visco, and Tommaso Visco from CAI Roma; and Raffaele Percivalle from S.C. CZERO6.
What challenges did the racers face?
Maurizio Paris of Aliski Racing described the ascent to the starting line as “really hard” due to the steep slope. He reported that the track was inconsistent and plagued by strong winds.
Paris noted the significance of the event’s return, thanking the Ascoli organizers for reviving the race ten years after a severe earthquake impacted populations across the Lazio, Marche, and Umbria borders.
What happens next for the race?
The return of the event after a decade suggests that the Sci Club Ascoli could attempt to make the Coppa Vettore a more regular fixture. However, because the race relies on the “last remnants of snow” at the end of the season, future dates may remain highly dependent on fluctuating weather patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Coppa Vettore take place?
The race is held on the Pista della Ciaule at 2,476 meters on Monte Vettore, the highest peak of the Monti Sibillini.
What sports are included in the competition?
The event features alpine skiing, snowboard, telemark, and ski mountaineering.
Why was there a ten-year gap in the race?
According to participant Maurizio Paris, the gap followed a severe earthquake that affected the border regions of Lazio, Marche, and Umbria.
Would you attempt a ski race that requires hiking to the start and using mules for gear transport?