Everybody made an appearance to celebrate Patrick Lang, Gianni Bianco and Armando Trovati for their hard work and immense support they have given Gardena-Gröden over all these years. Gianni Bianco has been reporting for “Il Giorno” and the ski magazine “Sci”, Armando Trovati has been photographing the white ski circuit on behalf of many big news agencies and Patrick Lang had been assisting his father Serge Lang as a 19-year-old here at the World Championships in Gardena-Gröden. There are plenty of anecdotes on their activity here in the valley, enough to fill a book. However, the one Mr. Trovati shared yesterday was of particular interest: “Nobody knows the toilet’s at the Press Center as well as I do. For many years, we have used this private place as a black room to develop our pictures.” It is hard to imagine that a place like the men’s loo was of such importance just a short time ago, before the onset of digital photography.

Stefania Demetz, General Manger of the OC and responsible for the World Cup races in Gardena-Gröden celebrated the three devoted journalists in the presence of former World Champion Bernhard Russi, Karl “Carletto” Senoner and former top skiers such as Eberhard Schmalzl and Lotte Nogler as well as Ewald Moroder, Ortisei-St.Ulrich’s mayor and awarded the three journalistic veterans with a wood-sculpture made in the valley. Furthermore, Christina Demetz, head of Gardena-Gröden Marketing handed over bouquets of flowers. Her organization hosted yesterday’s event.

Picture: OC General Manager Stefania Demetz, Armando Trovati, Gianni Bianco, mayor Ewald Moroder, Patrick Lang and head of Gardena-Gröden Marketing Christina Demetz (from left).