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Giuliano Besson, Valanga Azzurra Downhill Standout, Dies at 75

The Italian skiing federation cites a sudden illness as the cause.

Overview

  • The Italian Winter Sports Federation confirmed his death on October 24, 2025 at age 75 following a sudden illness.
  • A key figure of the 1970s Valanga Azzurra, he finished 11th in the Sapporo 1972 Olympic downhill after winning Italy’s national title that year.
  • He reached the World Cup podium with second place on Kitzbühel’s Streif in 1974, tying teammate Stefano Anzi.
  • Teammates elected him their athletes’ representative, a role in which he advocated for the rights of national team skiers.
  • After retiring around 25, he co-founded the Anzi Besson clothing brand and was recently reported to have written an autobiography.