A symbol of Sappada, Eliseo Sartor, has died at 91. Fauner moved: “More than a coach, he was like a second father”

Eliseo Sartor, a true symbol of the entire Sappada community—particularly special because of its ties to Nordic disciplines—has died at the age of 91.

Among his pupils were none other than Silvio Fauner and Pietro Piller Cottrer, but Sartor was a guiding figure for countless young people from the area. He was among the founders of A.S. Camosci in 1980, later becoming its coach and president. He leaves behind his wife, Annamaria Samassa, his son Ugo, his granddaughters Maddalena and Marianna, and his great-grandson Martin. This morning, Fauner, who was deeply attached to his first coach, shared a beautiful tribute to him: “Today is one of those days you wish would never come, but unfortunately we know that life is also this.

Today, Sappada, the world of Italian sport and, in particular, Nordic skiing, has lost one of its finest coaches. But I have lost much more. I have lost my first coach, the man who started my career, the man who took me to the top of the world.

Above all, though, I have lost someone who was like a second father to me. Until two months ago, at the bar, despite being ninety years old, he was always ready to give me advice and reprimand me. I always listened to those reprimands and treasured them as the most valuable advice. I carry with me all the memories of my youth with him: the hours on skis, the endless journeys, the laughter, the hard work, his voice always telling me never to give up.

And then the phone calls. The day before every important race, the phone would ring—and it was him. ‘Silvio, remember what you know how to do.’ A simple phrase that meant more to me than any tactic. That was his way of always being there. He was not just a coach. He was my guide, my point of reference, the person who believed in me when even I did not yet know how far I could go.

Thank you for everything, Eliseo. I will miss you very much.”