Longines, in collaboration with the FIS, of which it is the Official Partner and Timekeeper, proudly presented the fifth edition of the Longines Future Ski Champions, a one-of-a-kind competition bringing together the best international skiers under 16 years old.
This year, the Swedish resort of Åre hosted the event in the context of the FIS Alpine World Cup Finals. The young athletes, coming from twelve different countries and selected by their respective national Federation, took part in a two-run giant slalom on the World Cup’s slope. The Longines timing system and course conditions were identical to those of the official competition.
The 2018 edition was claimed by Italian skier Lorenzo Thomas Bini in 2:12.16, followed by French skier Benjamin Hoareau (+0.31) and Swedish skier Anton Rösnäs (+1.59). Lorenzo was presented with a trophy, as well as a Longines watch from the hands of Juan-Carlos Capelli, Longines Vice President and Head of International Marketing, Sarah Lewis, General Secretary for the FIS and Aksel Lund Svindal, Longines Ambassador of Elegance. Furthermore, the champion's national federation, the Federazione Italiana Sport Invernali, received a cheque destined to promote the sport among young people.
The evening before, the athletes took part in the bib draw ceremony, held in the heart of Åre. They had the good fortune to be accompanied by Mikaela Shiffrin, Longines Ambassador of Elegance and patron of the event, who gave them some precious advice before the race day. The ceremony concluded with the inauguration of the countdown clock until the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Åre 2019 – of which the brand is the Official Partner and Timekeeper – in presence of representatives from the FIS and the Organising Committee.
