Five decades ago, in late March , 1975, ski racing turned into a full-blown thriller in the Italian Dolomites on the Ronc slope in Ortisei, Val Gardena.
The FIS had decided that the World Cup Final of that season would be a parallel slalom race, with the obvious intention of making the finale even more exciting.
At that point, no one knew what they were about to witness in this unforgettable ski season. Heading into the final race in Ortisei, which was set to crown an already iconic season, three athletes were tied at the top of the overall World Cup standings:
Gustav Thöni, the South Tyrolean superstar and leading figure of the best Italian ski team of all time. The legendary Valanga Azzurra, was chasing his fourth Big Crystal Globe.
Ingemar Stenmark, the Swedish sensation, coached by local hero Hermann Nogler, was on the brink of making history by winning the overall World Cup at the age of 19. He would later go on to take the most world cup wins in history and hold that title until Mikaela Shiffrin finally overtook his 92 wind four decades later.
Franz Klammer, the Austrian powerhouse and the most successful downhill skier of all time, who was not expected to have much of a chance on the challenging slalom course of the Ronc slope.
Everything was set for an epic battle, and the outcome came down to a last-minute showdown: The two rivals and favourites for the overall World Cup title, Thöni and Stenmark, faced off in a dramatic last race, that would decide who would take home the prestigious Crystal Globe.
A showdown for the ages unfolded on the legendary Ronc slope, with 40,000 passionate fans in Val Gardena and millions more watching on television, witnessing sports history. In the end, it was Gustav Thöni who triumphed over the young Swedish sensation, securing his fourth Big Crystal Globe.
Now, 50 years later, the story comes full circle. On August 28, 2025, at 5:30 PM, Gustav Thöni and Ingemar Stenmark will reunite on stage at the “Luis Trenker” Cultural Center in Ortisei, Val Gardena — side by side — to look back on that unforgettable race – sharing memories, emotions and rare insights into one of the most historic moments in alpine skiing.
The evening will be hosted by two journalists: Leo Senoner, editor at Rai Ladinia, and Lorenzo Fabiano, author of the book “Thoeni vs Stenmark, l’ultima porta” and the documentary “La Valanga Azzurra”, directed by Giovanni Veronesi.
Pic of Thöni and Stenmark CREDIT Saslong Classic Club