The 9th International PRO WINTER Fair in Bolzano in Italy was also an opportunity to honour South Tyrolia´s most successful winter athletes. The fair was opened with a huge ceremony in which FIL President Josef Fendt took part. South Tyrolia´s athletes could achieve 56 podium finishes in World Cup races as well as 20 medals in European and World Championships of all age categories. Luge athletes took almost half of the credits. 14 athletes – eight from natural track luge and six from artificial track – were among the awarded. Altogether 32 athletes from six different disciplines were honoured. The ceremony was held in presence of many high winter sport officials, FIL President Fendt, FISI President Gianni Morzenti, regional FISI president Hermann Ambach, FIL Vice President Alfred Jud, Walter Plaikner and Josef Ploner were there.

Among the award winners were last season´s serial winners and World Champions Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara and Renate Gietl, Hannes Clara, Anton Blasbichler, Evelin Lanthaler, Renate Kasslatter und Alexandra Obrist from natural track luge. Honoured athletes from artificial track luge were Armin Zöggeler, Christian Oberstolz, Patrick Gruber, Gerhard Plankensteiner, Oswald Haselrieder as well as Sandra Gasparini.

The FIL had their own presentation booth during the fair. The latest sleds for both natural and artificial track luge as well as for the horn sled sport were shown there.