🇩🇪🏆🛼 Artistic World Cup 2026 (AWC), Garmisch-Partenkirchen🏆🇩🇪 🛼 – Aliana 🇸🇮 ✨4th place 👑✨, Espoire Freeskating, long programme 🛼💪🔝👏🥰
At the largest international artistic rollerskating competition for young categories Slovenian representative Aliana Vutkovič won an exceptional 4th place among 39 top representatives in the world. 🌍
One of those unforgettable, magnificent, emotion-filled moments every athlete and every coach lives for. In any individual sport. A moment that suddenly hits you deep inside. Your child belongs among the best artistic roller skaters in the world. Is that even possible?
Oh, that (bitter)sweet 4th place💞🙏
As the final performance in Aliana’s category was coming to an end and we sat side by side in the stands, she — who had skated somewhere in the middle of a field of 39 truly outstanding competitors — was still holding 4th place.
Right after her performance, when the high and well-deserved score appeared on the screen despite a few small mistakes, we were overwhelmed with happiness. It was one of those heartfelt embraces into which all the hours of relentless work and sacrifice suddenly melt together. Every moment when the body and mind scream, “I can’t do this anymore.” Every moment when things feel impossible. And yet burning passion, unwavering determination, and love in your heart quietly whisper back that everything will be okay. That you must keep going. Keep fighting.
Yes, in moments like these you truly understand why it is worth overcoming doubts, fears, and every material and emotional obstacle day after day.
We came to this competition completely free from expectations about the final result. We knew she would compete against the very best representatives of each country in her age category. Honestly, we had never experienced competition this strong before. But we also arrived with a powerful sporting spirit and a determination to show the roller skating world what we have both been working toward with unwavering dedication for many years.
Sitting in the stands, now fully aware that the competition in her category was over and that the placements were decided, we looked at each other. I asked her:
“Did it really just happen that you placed 4th at the World Cup? Does this mean that today you are practically fourth in the world?”
Humbly, modestly, yet also slightly disappointed, she simply answered:
“Yes.”
And immediately, in her eyes, I could see what was troubling her — that unnecessary fall during the jump combination she normally performs so well. To be completely honest, it was haunting me too, like a moth you cannot chase away no matter how hard you try. Had she landed that combination the way she knows how, she most likely would have placed the bronze medal around her neck.
Seeing in my uncertain expression that I had read her thoughts, she quietly added, without anger, stubbornness, or tears — only with a little sadness:
“I won’t forgive myself for that fall.”
The bigger picture, an extraordinary placement, and an invaluable experience💖💙
I didn’t even need to think before responding.
“Of course you will forgive yourself — and sooner than you think. I completely understand how you feel.”
And I truly do know exactly what emotions were wrapping around her in that intense moment. I once finished in the painful 4th place at a European Championship myself. Ironically, also in Germany, and third place was just within reach there too 👊😍.
With tears running down my face from all the accumulated emotions, I continued:
“I know why you feel this way. It’s completely normal for every athlete. I’m also a little disappointed when I think about how we could have waited together for the evening medal ceremony and watched you step onto the third podium place.
But let’s look at this from another perspective. Right now, because you saw how everything unfolded, you long for that medal and you are angry with yourself for the mistake you made. But you know what? Other skaters made mistakes too. Only a few performances were flawless.
This is a huge competition. A world of its own, where every athlete who pours their whole self into this sport day after day competes under enormous pressure. And every single one of you gave everything you had in that moment. Thinking about ‘what if’ will lead nowhere. What happened, happened. The result is extraordinary. Even without a medal, the fact that you are a strong competitor among the best artistic roller skaters in the world is priceless.
And you know what? This disappointment — maybe even the anger you feel toward yourself right now — I know it will fuel you to work even harder and even more passionately. And one day you will understand that today you truly gave everything you had. That you were beautiful. Unique. Unrepeatable. Just like this entire experience. One day you will feel gratitude and pride, exactly the way I already feel it in this very moment.”
I wrapped my arm around her slumped shoulders while crying — partly from pride, partly from happiness, and partly from gratitude that all of this had happened. That we were even able to come to this competition and that we arrived so mentally and physically prepared.
In that moment, I turned to her father and thanked him from the bottom of my heart for accompanying us and supporting us financially. Then I looked back at my talented girl. She gave me a small nod, and I could feel that she understood too.
Within minutes, her face began to brighten again, and I could already see her mentally planning the future training sessions that would help her improve and grow even more.
At that moment, I knew she truly understood deep inside that she had achieved something extraordinary.
On Friday, May 8th, 2026, at the Artistic World Cup in Germany, she achieved an incredible 4th place among 39 representatives of participating countries in her age category.
This was a world-class event bringing together more than 680 athletes from 34 countries, held at the famous Olympia Eissport Zentrum 🏟️, where the organizers created a truly spectacular atmosphere.
Competing individually at such an event and representing your country during a live broadcast is an enormous burden for every athlete — especially for competitors so young. A truly huge challenge that my 13-year-old Aliana handled beautifully this time.
Chasing your dreams is a daily decision✨❤️
This season, Aliana is performing a meaningful choreography titled Game of Survival, which we created together during the New Year holidays. 🎼 She skates to Game of Survival by Ruelle and portrays the fight for dreams on eight wheels. The program speaks about perseverance no matter what and about embracing the role of an unstoppable fighter.
🎤As the singer asks in the lyrics whether we are the hunters or the prey, Aliana chooses every single day not to become a victim of circumstances, but to relentlessly chase her dreams.💖
🙏A special thank you goes to the wonderful Argentinian costume designer for artistic roller skaters, Eugenia (IG: @vestuarioeuge), for creating the unique black-and-silver competition costume made according to World Skate regulations for the biggest international competitions. The costume perfectly complements Aliana’s story and helps her shine on the competition floor exactly the way she dreams of.
🙏Thank you as well to photographer 📸 Raniero Corbelletti Photographie for the beautiful photographs that always capture the emotions, strength, and beauty of our sport.
And last but not least, a heartfelt and profound thank you to everyone who helps us and stands by our side.❤️🙏
Proud. Grateful. And even more motivated for what comes next. 🛼🔝👏🥰
