Fez — Pietro Tranchina is preparing to carve out a place in Moroccan sporting history as the first athlete to represent the North African country in the Alpine Skiing World Cup, with his sights firmly set on the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Born and raised in Susa, near Turin, Tranchina grew up immersed in Italy’s winter sports culture. Yet his decision to compete for Morocco reflects a deeply personal choice rooted in family and identity. The skier carries Moroccan nationality through his mother, Sadia, and has spoken openly about how that bond shaped his path toward representing Morocco on the international stage.
For Tranchina, the switch was not simply symbolic. Competing for Morocco has opened the door to racing at the sport’s highest level, allowing him to accelerate his development, gain World Cup exposure, and pursue Olympic qualification. As Alpine skiing remains a niche discipline in Morocco, his move also marks a breakthrough moment for the country’s presence in winter sports.
Racing between two homelands
The timing of Tranchina’s Olympic debut carries added emotional weight. The Milan–Cortina Games will unfold on Italian snow, meaning the skier will compete in familiar terrain while wearing Moroccan colors. He has described the experience as akin to competing “on home soil too,” combining the support of his birthplace with the pride of representing his maternal homeland.
Set to race in the coming days, Tranchina has set clear and pragmatic goals. He is aiming to deliver his strongest possible performance and push toward a top-30 finish, a benchmark that would signal meaningful progress in the highly competitive World Cup circuit.
Building a long-term career
Behind the scenes, Tranchina’s development is being shaped by a professional support team that includes coach Thomas Bottero and skiman Simone Remolif. Together, they are guiding his transition into elite-level competition, balancing immediate Olympic ambitions with a longer-term vision for sustained World Cup participation.
That vision extends beyond personal results. By competing internationally under Morocco’s flag, Tranchina is effectively laying the groundwork for future Moroccan involvement in winter sports. His presence challenges traditional perceptions of Moroccan athletics, which are more commonly associated with football and long-distance running.
A symbolic milestone for Moroccan sport
The Alpine Skiing World Cup represents one of winter sports’ most demanding arenas, and Tranchina’s entry into it underscores the growing diversity of Moroccan athletic representation. His journey illustrates how diaspora connections can expand Morocco’s sporting horizons, particularly in disciplines where the country has historically had little visibility.
