“With her talent, discipline and radiance, she left an unforgettable mark on the ice. She was not only an outstanding athlete, but also a role model for the young ones, to whom she taught figure skating with enthusiasm and patience in children’s classes.

She was a ray of sunshine in the community whose warmth and positivity reached far beyond the band of the ice rink.”

Tributes pour in

Julia’s hometown of Brixen is also reeling from the loss. Mayor Andreas Jungmann shared a message of condolence:

“We are all deeply, deeply shaken. She was not only an outstanding athlete but also a role model for many. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Gaiser family. This is a great loss, especially for the world of sport.”

Others in the skating community emphasized her relentless dedication to her craft. Anneliese Schenk of the Italian Ice Sports Federation reflected on how Julia rose to the top despite starting later than many competitors:

“She started skating later than usual for our sport – around the age of eight, when many girls begin at just four or five. Even so, Marie managed to achieve strong results thanks to her daily training. Skating was her whole world, and she lived the sport with immense passion.”