Last Thursday, vocational schools from the Euroregion Tyrol, South Tyrol, and Trentino celebrated their 29th annual winter sports day at LLA Rotholz, featuring competitions in skiing, sledding, and snowboarding. A total of 134 students participated, showcasing teamwork and regional cooperation. LLA Weitau/St. Johann secured the top group ranking. Deputy Governor Josef Geisler emphasized the event’s role in fostering connections, while the school’s director highlighted its significance in promoting collaborative initiatives across the regions, including joint competitions and cultural exchanges.
A Celebration of Winter Sports and Regional Unity
Last Thursday, the agricultural and forestry vocational schools from the Euroregion Tyrol, South Tyrol, and Trentino gathered for their annual winter sports day, a cherished tradition that has been ongoing since 1995.
This year’s event, marking the 29th edition, was hosted by the agricultural training institute LLA Rotholz. It serves not only as a platform for athletic competition but also as a testament to the enduring collaboration between these regions. The day was filled with exciting events as students engaged in alpine skiing, sledding, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing.
Strong Performances and Team Spirit
A total of 134 students participated, with 74 athletes hailing from Tyrol, 48 from South Tyrol, and 12 from Trentino. Competitions took place around the picturesque Lake Achensee, specifically in Maurach and Pertisau. Participants were evaluated on both individual and team performances, fostering a spirit of camaraderie among the schools.
This year, LLA Weitau/St. Johann triumphed in the group rankings, followed closely by LLA Rotholz and LLA Imst. The commitment of the teachers was also commendable, as they competed in their own classes, showcasing their skills against colleagues from different regions.
Deputy Governor Josef Geisler commended all the participants, highlighting that the event not only celebrates athletic achievements but also promotes personal connections among students and teachers. It exemplifies how sporting events can enhance regional collaboration.
Josef Norz, director of LLA Rotholz, remarked on the significance of the winter sports day: “This tradition extends beyond mere competition and enhances the exchange of ideas and teamwork among both students and educators.” He emphasized the opportunity it provides to embody the Euregio concept and strengthen partnerships among the schools across the three regions. Each institution is paired with a partner school in a neighboring country; for LLA Rotholz, that connection is with the Istituto Agrario di San Michele in Trentino.
Over the years, these vocational schools have developed a robust framework of cooperative initiatives, including joint competitions in agriculture and home economics, as well as a cultural day every two years. The Euregio Mobility Week is another successful program where second-year agriculture students swap schools for a week to experience diverse training opportunities—from traditional basket weaving to practical skills like constructing dry stone walls. This collaboration is further fortified through regular meetings among school directors, culminating in the joint Euregio conference held for over 15 years, where schools share experiences and explore new avenues for partnership.
Participating schools from the Euroregion include:
Tyrol:
– Vocational school for rural business and household management Landeck
– LLA Imst
– LLA Rotholz
– LLA Weitau/St. Johann
– LLA Lienz
South Tyrol:
– Laimburg vocational school
– Fürstenburg vocational school
– FS Home Economics and Nutrition Kortsch
– Vocational school for agriculture, home economics, and nutrition Dietenheim
– Vocational school for home economics and nutrition Tisens
– Vocational school for land and home economics Salern
Trentino:
– Istituto Agrario di San Michele
Stay tuned for more updates and news from Tyrol!