Flora Tabanelli has made Italian freestyle skiing history, claiming bronze in Big Air at just 18 years old in a breakthrough performance on home snow.
The young Italian skier delivered a standout performance to secure her place on the podium in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Tabanelli's bronze medal represents a significant milestone for Italian freestyle skiing, as she becomes one of the youngest Italian athletes to medal in the discipline at this level of competition.
The teenager showed remarkable composure throughout the event, landing the technical tricks required to challenge the world's best Big Air specialists. Competing on Italian soil added extra pressure, but Tabanelli rose to the occasion with a performance that demonstrated both technical skill and mental fortitude.
Emotional Victory in Front of Family
Speaking after her medal-winning performance, Tabanelli struggled to contain her emotions. "Any kind of emotion, definitely happiness," she said. "I'm happy to have made it after all this time and to have done it in front of great spectators, a great crowd, and my family."
The presence of her family made the moment even more special for the young athlete. "There were no words to describe the moment, a hug was enough," Tabanelli explained, reflecting on celebrating with her loved ones immediately after securing the medal.
Perfect Conditions at Livigno
Tabanelli praised the setup at Livigno, where the competition took place. "I have to say the jump is really beautiful, being here in Livigno is really strange in a positive sense because they did an incredible job," she noted. The venue provided an ideal stage for her historic achievement.
Despite the intimidating scale of the jump, Tabanelli felt comfortable when it mattered most. "Now looking at it, it really seems like a beast, but while I was jumping I was confident, so it was really nice," she said, describing her experience on the feature.
Rising Star for Italian Freestyle
At just 18 years old, Tabanelli represents the next generation of Italian Freestyle skiing talent. Her bronze medal performance signals her arrival on the international stage and bodes well for Italy's prospects in the discipline heading toward future major championships.
After her medal-winning effort, Tabanelli had simple plans for celebrating her achievement. "I'm going to eat because it's very hot, celebrate with my family and with the team," she said, looking forward to sharing the moment with those closest to her.
The bronze medal marks a breakthrough moment for Tabanelli and provides momentum as she continues to develop her career in Big Air competition. Her performance has written a new chapter in Italian winter sports history.
