First Competition Day Delivers Medals and Strong Performances in Val di Zoldo

The European Universities Winter Championships 2025 officially got underway on Tuesday, 16 December, with the first competition day taking place in Val di Zoldo, in the heart of the Dolomites. Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom and Snowboard Giant Slalom opened the medal programme, while Snow Volleyball began its group stage matches.

Alpine Skiing – Giant Slalom

Cristellin Slope

The Giant Slalom competitions delivered high-level performances in both women’s and men’s events, with close margins and consistent runs across the field.

Women’s Giant Slalom – Podium

• 1st Maja Chyla (Jagiellonian University) – 1:40.00

• 2nd Amelie Stoellinger (University of Innsbruck) – +0.14

• 3rd Patrycja Florek (Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education) – +0.31

Chyla secured victory with a technically solid performance over two runs, finishing just fourteen hundredths ahead of Stoellinger.

Men’s Giant Slalom – Podium

• 1st Simon Nantschev (University of Applied Sciences Munich) – 1:35.27

• 2nd Julien Hermann (University of Zurich) – +0.27

• 3rd Philipp Schmid (Technical University of Munich) – +0.88

The men’s race confirmed the depth of the field, with the top three separated by less than one second after two demanding runs.

Snowboard – Giant Slalom

High Cristellin Slope

Speed and precision characterised the Snowboard Giant Slalom events, with clear winning margins in both categories.

Women’s Snowboard Giant Slalom – Podium

• 1st Olga Kaciczak (Jagiellonian University) – 1:07.36

• 2nd Nisa Ozsoy (Ozyegin University) – +3.07

• 3rd Zuzanna Sokalska (Wroclaw University of Science of Technology) – +4.34

Kaciczak set the pace from the first run and confirmed her dominance in the second.

Men’s Snowboard Giant Slalom – Podium

• 1st Michał Lachowicz (University of Warsaw) – 1:09.39

• 2nd Bartlomiej Kaciczak (AGH University of Krakow) – +1.08

• 3rd Gabriel Seroczynski (University of Warsaw) – +2.08

The men’s competition highlighted the strength of the Polish teams, who claimed all podium positions

Snow Volleyball – Opening Matches

Snow Volleyball officially started with the first pool phase matches for both women’s and men’s tournaments. Teams competed according to the modified pool format outlined in the Technical Handbook, with results determining progression to the knockout phase scheduled over the following days.

Looking Ahead

With the first medals awarded, the European Universities Winter Championships 2025 now move into a decisive phase. Alpine Skiing Slalom, Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom and Snow Volleyball elimination matches are set to continue over the coming days, with the finals scheduled for Thursday, 18 December.