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Applications open for the 28th International Matteo Baumgarten Award

Jan 31, 2025·Inside FIS
Iria Medina Gironès (AND) – 2024 winner @ Agence Zoom
Iria Medina Gironès (AND) – 2024 winner @ Agence Zoom

The Baumgarten family is once again inviting young athletes to apply for the International Matteo Baumgarten Award, now in its 28th edition. This prestigious annual prize honours the life and legacy of Matteo Baumgarten by recognizing athletes who excel in FIS Olympic and Paralympic disciplines while pursuing their education.

FIS member National Ski Associations are encouraged to nominate up to three athletes (male or female) between the ages of 18 and 24 who compete in Alpine Skiing, Para Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, Para Snowboarding, Freestyle, Cross-Country, Para Cross-Country, Ski Jumping, or Nordic Combined.

Applications should be sent to the FIS Development Department at development@fis-ski.com by February 28, 2025. The award ceremony will take place on May 4, 2025, at the Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi in Bormio, Italy.

Honouring Matteo Baumgarten’s legacy

The Baumgarten Award was established in 1996 following the tragic passing of Matteo Baumgarten in a car accident. A promising Alpine skier, Matteo successfully balanced his training with a strong commitment to education. To honour his memory, the Baumgarten family created this award to celebrate young athletes who share his dedication to both sport and academics.

The Baumgarten Award is a prestigious tradition, and FIS is proud to partner with the Baumgarten family in this meaningful act. Through this award, we honour exceptional athletes and individuals like Matteo Baumgarten, while recognizing the dedication and achievements of successful athletes from around the world. It is a great honour for us to be involved in the Baumgarten Award and to have the opportunity to recognize outstanding athletes, not only for their sporting achievements but also for their accomplishments in other areas of life.Jelena Dojcinovic, FIS Membership Manager

A prestigious list of past winners

Over the years, the International Matteo Baumgarten Award has been presented to numerous accomplished athletes, including:

  • Iria Medina Gironès (AND) – 2024 winner and a rising Alpine skier

  • Martina Vozza (ITA) – Vision-impaired Alpine skier and medalist at the 2021 Paralympic Alpine Ski World Championships

  • Tanja Poutiainen (FIN)

  • Tina Maze (SLO)

  • Bernadette Schild (AUT)

  • Marco Odermatt (SUI)

  • Ramon Zenhäusern (SUI)

  • Ester Ledecká (CZE)

With the 28th edition of the award now open for applications, the Baumgarten family and FIS look forward to honouring the next generation of student-athletes who exemplify Matteo’s spirit.