22x3x25. This summarizes the 71 edition of the Alpine Troops Skiing Championships. These numbers tell with the objectivity of mathematics the commitment and effort of 22 platoons that for three days with 25 kg of their equipment have been contested the Buffa trophy that enshrines, since 1931, the most prepared Alpine Department. For seven days the Pusteria and the Cadore were the scene of military activities that are spaced from mountaineering to mountaineering technique going to check also the technical skills - tactics and those to operate in synergy in emergency situations. 2000 military from 11 nations were confronted on the snow.
To wish "good luck" at the start the Defense Minister Elisabetta Trenta, after seven days of competitions and activities in San Candido, in front of hundreds of spectators, the Chief of Staff of the Army has closed the event, underlining the value for each single military: "I appeal to all but especially to the youngest, to you who for the first time have faced this wonderful reality of the CaSTA: look around. You will realize that you belong to the great family of the Army, men and women who, like you, prepare with absolute dedication, every single day, to face the challenges to the best of their ability ".
And there are many challenges that have been played in a week of intense activities: technical challenges such as patrols, biathlon, and ski-mountaineering, without neglecting the fund and the giant slalom, but next to this technical dimension the Championships are a verification of alpine training. Verification that passes from the race of the platoons, a grueling competition that goes to the bottom, the technical, physical, but above all psychological preparation of the personnel.
To win the title, the 2 ° alpine regiment of Cuneo, but to win were all the 400 military who, with stubbornness, have completed a tough race, this year made even harder given the rest in the three days in the tent in a camp at over 1000 mt. altitude, among the snow-capped mountains of the Pusteria.
According to the SME chief, General Farina are "squared soldiers", the Alpine troops; soldiers able to fight and resist in extreme conditions. But it was not only the competitions of the protagonists of this week, which saw, together with the Alpine troops so many Army structures, operate in the field together with the Red Cross, the Red Cross volunteers, and the Civil Protection teams of the Association National Alpini.
Several exercises: a technical-tactic, which has proposed the best the Army is able to express in a snowy environment, and the rescue, which has tested the ability to work together among the many subjects who contribute to mountain rescue , be it the CNSAS, the Bergrettung, the fire brigade or the assets of the various bodies of the state.
An intense week that has demonstrated the formative value of the mountain, which requires sacrifice, dedication, humility and a spirit of body.
