Mourning in Italian alpine skiing: Carla Marchelli has died
FISI has announced the passing of Carla Marchelli, one of the most famous Italian national team skiers of her generation: “Born in Genoa in 1935 but raised in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where her family had moved to escape the bombings of World War II, Carla Marchelli established herself as one of the most versatile and eclectic skiers of her generation, making history for FISI and the Italian national team.”
“For one month—January 1957—she held an absolute world record, winning every world-class race and discipline in which she competed: SDS Grindelwald (D-SG-SL); Arlberg-Kandahar in St. Anton (D-SL); Bad Gastein pre-World Championship trials (D-SG-SL).”
World Championship Podiums and Classic Races
• 1958 World Championships in Bad Gastein: She won a historic bronze medal in the downhill, confirming her status as one of the world’s strongest speed skiers.
• International Races, January 1957 (St. Anton and Bad Gastein): The undisputed star of the Alpine winter circuit with top-tier performances in the Austrian stages at Sankt Anton and Bad Gastein, marking the prologue to her triumphant start to the international season.
• SDS-Rennen (Grindelwald 1957): She dominated the event with a sensational sweep of four victories (Downhill, Giant Slalom, Slalom, and Combined), followed by another downhill victory in 1958.
• Arlberg-Kandahar (Sestriere 1956): Victory in the prestigious downhill race of the quintessential Alpine classic.
Olympic Appearances
• Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956: Olympic debut in front of her home crowd, finishing 6th in the downhill after having two casts removed from both ankles (both broken) one week before the race.
• Squaw Valley 1960: A standout in all disciplines before retiring from competitive skiing: 5th place in Giant Slalom, 6th place in the Combined, 9th in Downhill, and 15th in Slalom.
Titles and Medals at the Italian Championships
At the national level, she won a total of 7 medals at the Italian Championships (and over 60 victories overall on the national circuit):
• 3 Italian Titles (Gold): Downhill (1954), Giant Slalom (1955 and 1957).
• 2 Silver Medals: Downhill (1953, 1956).
• 2 Bronze medals: Giant Slalom (1953), Slalom (1956).
The Italian Winter Sports Federation extends its deepest sympathies to the family during this difficult time.
