Fifty winters have passed, yet that cold morning in Madonna di Campiglio remains etched in skiing history. On Tuesday, December 17, 1974, an 18-year-old Swede forever changed alpine skiing by claiming his first World Cup victory on the 3Tre slalom course.

For Ingemar Stenmark, winning the 3Tre marked more than personal triumph - it heralded a new era and the emergence of a legend who would redefine skiing history. Some moments transcend timing and technique, capturing pure perfection. Witnesses still recall the distinctive sound of Stenmark's skis, the electric atmosphere, the anticipation surrounding Italy's "Valanga Azzurra" team, and the thunderous finish-line roar. A new star had emerged - curly-haired, wearing his signature colorful cap - whose name would soon become synonymous with skiing excellence.

Looking back 50 years later evokes both nostalgia and gratitude. Nostalgia for an era when the sport was purer, undeniably more romantic. Gratitude for a champion who throughout his legendary career embodied skiing's essence: pursuit of beauty, fluid movement, and graceful humility. On January 7-8, the 71st 3Tre will welcome Ingemar Stenmark as guest of honor, celebrating his legacy with friends, rivals, fans, and the entire skiing community.

A RACE FOR THE AGES 
Tuesday, December 17, 1974, was a pivotal day not just for 3Tre, but for alpine skiing. All eyes were initially on Italian stars Thoeni and Gros on the challenging, icy Canalone Miramonti slope. The course, set by the recently passed Italian National Team coach Oreste Peccedi, featured tricky gates demanding exceptional skills and composure. Stenmark was 22nd after the first run, and neither Thoeni nor Gros lived up to expectations, leaving the stage set for fellow Italians of the “Valanga Azzurra”.

However, in the second run Stenmark delivered a statement performance that foreshadowed his greatness: his skiing was a mesmerizing blend of elegance and precision, leaving spectators in awe gate after gate. A performance worth the win and the history books, with Paolo De Chiesa finishing just 14 hundredths of a second behind, and Fausto Radici third by 32 hundredths.

"I have sweet memories of my first victory in Madonna di Campiglio," Stenmark recently recalled during the filming of the documentary "The Night Slalom". "It was a key day in my career. I was performing well in World Cup races but hadn't won yet. Madonna was the breakthrough I needed. It was fantastic."

A SPECIAL BOND WITH 3TRE AND MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO 
Madonna di Campiglio not only staged that win, but left an indelible mark on Stenmark's career and heart. The warmth of Italian fans always made him feel at home. This connection is reflected in his unparalleled record of 12 victories at the 3Tre (5 slaloms, 3 giant slaloms, 3 combined, and 1 parallel).

Stenmark's achievements are legendary: 86 World Cup victories, three overall titles, two Olympic gold medals, and five World Championship gold medals. As Paolo De Chiesa noted, "Stenmark was the greatest ever in slalom and giant slalom. He won almost twice as many races as Tomba and far more than Hirscher. He had a grace and softness on the snow we had never seen before or since. It was an honour to ski alongside him, he was simply undefeatable."

A LEGEND WORTH CELEBRATING
Nowadays, Stenmark still represents a global sport icon who built his career on perseverance and work ethic. To recall and celebrate this milestone, and five years after his latest appearance in Madonna di Campiglio, Stenmark will be the guest of honour at the 71st 3Tre on January 7th and 8th, 2025. The celebrations will begin on January 7th in Piazza Sissi with the public bib draw, preceded by a documentary about the legendary “Valanga Azzurra” Italian national team of the 1970s.

The World Cup Night Race will take place on January 8th, with runs at 5:45 and 8:45 PM CET. Among the athletes to watch is fellow Swede Kristoffer Jakobsen, who finished third in the 2021 3Tre and, like Stenmark in 1974, is chasing his first World Cup victory.

Fifty years on, Stenmark's legend keeps inspiring new generations of athletes. And just like that far day in 1974, another Swede might take the spotlight of the Canalone Miramonti, writing a new chapter in the legendary 3Tre history book.