Tino Pietrogiovanna

Tino Pietrogiovanna is an Alpine skiing coach and former Italian Alpine skier of the 1970s who specialized in technical races. In the World Cup circuit he had five top 10 finishes with two podiums, both third places – one in special slalom, on 23 March 1973 in Heavenly Valley, and one in giant slalom, on 18 December 1974 in Madonna di Campiglio.

On 7 January 1974 he finished fifth in the Berchtesgaden giant slalom, behind by compatriots Gros, Gustavo Thoeni, Erwin Stricker and Helmuth Schmalzl. This great result was greeted by the Italian press with the nickname “Valanga Azzurra” (Blue Avalanche), which would later come into common use in reference to the strong Italian Alpine skiing team of the 1970s. In his career Pietrogiovanna did not take part in either the Olympics or the World Championships.

After ending his sporting career, Pietrogiovanna was coach of the Central Alps Committee of the men’s sector (1978-82) and of the men’s slalom and giant slalom section of the Italian national team (1982-89). He later coached Deborah Compagnoni from 1989-99. From 1999 to 2005 he was technical director of the Italian women’s A team.