Trofeo CONI Winter 2025: Lombardy wins and scores a double after its summer triumph. Pellegrino: “You're lucky, I would have liked to compete too”

IN AOSTA VALLEY

21 December 2025

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Lombardy is the winner of the Trofeo CONI Winter 2025. The CONI Regional Committee led by President Marco Riva has triumphed in Valle d'Aosta, becoming the first to achieve the double in the same season after winning the summer edition in Friuli Venezia Giulia last September. South Tyrol came second, missing out on success by finishing just one place behind its rivals despite having the same number of points. Piedmont came third. The latter regional committee remains at the top of the roll of honour for the winter edition of the Trofeo CONI, having triumphed in both 2023 and 2024. One title, meanwhile, went to Trentino (2022) and, as mentioned, to Lombardy.

Following a spectacular opening ceremony and the first two days of competition, the closing ceremony of Italy's most important multi-sport event for under-14s took place in Piazza Arco d'Augusto in Aosta (photos by Simone Ferraro and Roberto Di Tondo, CONI).

The young competitors showed great determination as they took part in five disciplines organised by the Italian Winter Sports Federation (alpine skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, biathlon and cross-country skiing), four disciplines organised by the Italian Ice Sports Federation (short track, figure skating, curling and ice hockey), and one discipline organised by the Italian Triathlon Federation (winter triathlon). The event took place on the snow and ice of Pila, Cogne, Courmayeur, Aosta and Turin. The CONI Fair Play Games (multidisciplinary sports activities based on Olympic values, aimed at promoting inclusion, leadership, and respect for the rules in a fun setting) were also held, along with the TEM (the Motor Efficiency Test), which is a course consisting of four movement patterns and four stations designed to assess a range of motor skills and abilities through a playful two-minute multidisciplinary circuit.

After the Italian national anthem had been played, Aosta Mayor Alina Sapinet declared: “These were wonderful days, and the youngsters will take away unforgettable memories”. Then it was the turn of Renzo Testolin, President of the Aosta Valley Region, who said: “You have brought extraordinary passion to the Aosta Valley. You carry a piece of our region in your heart”. “We experienced incredible emotions. I saw the spark that ignites sport and brings people together” added Jean Dondeynaz, President of the CONI Aosta Valley Regional Committee.

The guest of honour at the ceremony was Federico Pellegrino, who will be one of the flag bearers for the Italian team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina 2026: “It's a great time for me. I'm in good shape, and my recent results prove it. It'll be an honour to receive the tricolour flag from President Sergio Mattarella. Being the flag bearer in Milan-Cortina will be the perfect ending to my career. Any advice for young athletes at the Trofeo CONI Winter? I'm still just a regular guy. When I was your age, I wasn't lucky enough to take part in an event like this. It's a wonderful experience. The best thing is to meet and make friends with young people from other regions and countries. We should all come together and embrace the sense of belonging that Sport provides, and we should all feel proud to be part of this inclusive family that is open to all”.

Before the winners were announced, Laura Armando from Piedmont (figure skating) and Aksel Chabod from Aosta Valley (winter triathlon) received the Fair Play Award. Cecilia D'Angelo, the CONI Territory Director, was the first to speak: “Thank you for the joy, commitment and dedication you have shown. Thank you to the Aosta Valley and everyone who helped to make this splendid event possible” she said, before unveiling the podium. Applause for Piedmont, who took the lowest step on the podium. Second place went to South Tyrol, and the triumph went to Lombardy.