The world of Italian alpine skiing is mourning the death at the age of 84 of Oreste Peccedi, coach of the Valanga Azzurra and considered one of the most important figures for the development of the discipline. The Azzurri led by coach Mario Cotelli and Peccedi won 48 victories in the World Cup, 5 general and 6 specialty crystal cups with Gustav Thoeni and Piero Gros and 12 medals between the Olympic Games and World Championships.
Oreste Peccedi was born in Bormio on 8 October 1939 and began working as a ski coach in the mid-1950s. From 1968 to 1976 he became known worldwide because he was the coach of the men's blue team initially with the technical commissioner Jean Vuarnet (from 1968 to 1972) and then Mario Cotelli (from 1972 to 1976). In those eight years, Italian alpine skiing achieved its first victories in the World Cup and within a short time the numerous successes achieved earned it the name 'Avalanga Azzurrà'. Famous was the legendary five in the Berchtesgaden giant slalom on 7 January 1974 led by Piero Gros ahead of Gustav Thoeni and Erwin Stricker. The athletes led by Cotelli and Peccedi won 48 victories in the World Cup, 5 general and 6 specialty crystal cups (with Thoeni and Gros) and 12 medals between the Olympic Games and World Championships. His experience with the national alpine skiing team ended , Peccedi designed the 'Stelviò track in Bormio for the 1985 World Championships and is still included in the World Cup circuit today. Until 2015 he took part in master category competitions.