The ski family has been crying Ferronato for years, an irreplaceable point of reference

An authentic “totem” disappears at the age of 84 even for the Ampezzo timekeepers; the condolences of Roda, president of Fisi

CORTINA. Benito Ferronato, a character of great depth and well known in Cortina for his commitment and his career in the world of alpine skiing, passed away today at the age of 84. Ferronato has practically dedicated his entire life to the world of sport, taking his first steps within the Cortina ski club. In 1958 he became a competition judge of the Italian winter sports federation and in 1966 technical delegate of the FIS (the international federation) for alpine skiing. As secretary of the Cortina Ski club, in 1969 Ferronato became general secretary of the organizing committee of the Ski World Cup in Cortina, a very delicate role that he will maintain until the 1990s. Ferronato was also one of the five founding members of the Permanent Association of the Cortina Ski World Cup, holding the role of secretary from its origins until 2006. On an international level, Ferronato was also president of the jury on several occasions. Olympic Games and World Ski Championships. In 1994 he was also awarded the gold star reserved for managers by Coni; he also received the world ski honor award (from FIS) and the gold badge (from Fisi).

It was also a point of reference for the timekeepers of Cortina, even managing to conclude an exclusive contract with the Swiss Longines for the supply of state-of-the-art equipment for the timing of bobsleighs, skiing and speed skating.

Nor should we forget Ferronato’s attachment to the ANA group (National Alpine Association), of which he was also a councilor in Cortina.

Enrico Valle, president of the permanent association that organized the Ski World Cup until a few years ago, worked hand in hand with Ferronato for many years, and remembers him like this: “For me he was like an older brother”, he says. , «I arrived with his support within the international ski federation, taking his place on the committee; and it was thanks to him that I built my little career in Fis. Together we brought the World Cup back to Cortina, organizing it for about twenty years, and always together we embarked on the first candidacies for the World Ski Championships which were then held by us last year. Let’s not forget the first candidacy that Cortina proposed in 1980 for the 1988 edition of the Winter Olympics: when I was councilor for Sport and Benito in Azienda di Soggiorno, we went to Sweden, Germany, France, around to advertise the candidacy, the first we made together ».

Condolence was also expressed by the leaders of Fisi, with the participation in the pain of the family by President Flavio Roda and the entire federal council.