Kristian Ghedina is a former World Cup alpine ski racer from Italy and auto racer. With his thirteen victories he’s the most awarded Italian downhill specialist in World Cup history.

One night in Cortina, Italy, I was looking for a restaurant I’ve been one year before with a friend of mine, but I could not even remember the name. So I go back to the hotel where I was staying and I ask for a tip from the hotel owner. Elisabetta suggests that I go to Ristorante Al Passetto, owned by Giorgio Ghedina. It’s historical place in the city, with lots of mementos and antiques by Kristian Ghedina – the famous ski racer; and also the owner – Kristian’s uncle ‐ is a former bobsled champion. “It’s a restaurant having something to tell.” She says. Giorgio himself is very kind and you can have a little chat with him.

Unbelievable coincidence when I entered… I discovered that it was the place I was looking for! I ask for a table, I order some food and then I look for the owner. I started talking with Giorgio, introduce myself, tell him about my idea of writing some articles about Cortina, including — one day, an opportunity of getting in touch with Kristian for an interview. And he says “He’s in the other room, should I call him?”

Another surprise for me. So at the end we had dinner together and with the occasion, we had a nice talk.

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Kristian, tell us something about yourself. Ski racer and auto racer…

Since I was a child, I always loved engines and I would have liked to become a professional driver. Downhill and auto racing: they look as two similar universes; having in common speed, pure competition, overcoming of physical limits. But, living in Cortina, we can say I started skiing before learning how to walk… And going on practicing, I approached the world of skiing competitions soon enough.

What are you doing now?

I’m managing a new project called M’Over, together with some other colleagues of the Italian national team and many other professionals; it is not only a ski or mountaineering school but something welcoming all tourists and mountain lovers, a real club bringing together people with the same passions.

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In the latter stage of your career you twice thrilled all your fans at Kitzbuhel in Austria by doing flying splits on the legendary Streif’s last breakneck jump. You are the only skier ever to perform a spread eagle on the famous course!

[Laughs] Well, it was just a bet! The day before, during the inspection, my cousin Francesco (also a ski racer) did the split. As he completed the course we met and he told me “I bet a pizza you are not brave enough to do the same”. Well I did it! During the race, at 140 km/h and I finished in sixth position. So I won my pizza!

Have you ever been in Dubai? Did you ever try the feeling of skiing in the desert?

Yes, I’ve been there in 2007. I loved that trip and I’d like to come back soon to see with my eyes all the changes after so many years. I’ve been to SkiDubai as well. Of course I cannot compare it with the routes I’m used to; at the SkiDubai I’m not even able to reach full speed, but it was very funny and we enjoyed a lot.

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What if Kristian was born in Dubai?

I’d become a sandboarding champion [laughs]. Also, since motor sports are very popular in the UAE, I would probably dedicate myself to my other passion — car racing, which accompanied me in the second part of my sporting career.


Aside from his 13 World Cup wins – 12 in downhill and one in SuperG – Ghedina holds the record for World Cup downhills completed (169) and became the oldest podium placer in 2005, since then, Didiè Cuche got the record. Ghedina also held the record of four wins on Val Gardena’s famous Saslong Run ‐ an achievement he shared with Austrian legend Franz Klammer, before Didiè Cuche got this record too.


Age: 46

Nationality: Italian

Occupation: Ski school trainer and owner. Former ski and car racer