The Valanga Azzurra (“Blue Avalanche”) was the legendary Italian men's alpine ski team of the 1970s, led by coach Mario Cotelli. The documentary retraces the extraordinary achievements of this team that dominated the world of alpine skiing, winning five World Cups and numerous medals at the Olympics and World Championships. With the help of journalist and writer Lorenzo Fabiano, the film revisits the key moments of the golden era of alpine skiing in the 1970s by interviewing some of its main figures, including Gustav Thöni, Piero Gros, Paolo De Chiesa, and the recently deceased coach Oreste Peccedi, to whom the film is dedicated. Through previously unseen testimonies and the personal narration of director Giovanni Veronesi, who reveals his childhood dream of becoming a skier, the film explores the internal rivalries, character contrasts, and sacrifices of the team members. It recounts the triumphant 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, the intense rivalry between Thöni and Swedish champion Ingemar Stenmark, as well as the darker moments and eventual decline of the Italian team. Despite the downturn, their legacy helped transform skiing in Italy from an elite pastime into a popular, mass-participation sport. The film paints a portrait of a united and determined group that became a symbol of national pride and an enduring source of inspiration for generations.
The screening is supported by Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Sofia.