To Andrea Lanfri the Cala Cimenti Prize 2023
Deserving the Cala Cimenti 2023 Award is Paralympic athlete and skier Andrea Lanfri, “A living testament to Cala and its values.”
“I was not fortunate enough to meet Cala in person, but I think I sensed what her emotional strength and human greatness was,” Andrea said. Emotional strength and human greatness are precisely the knots that Andrea and Cala share.
“Meeting Andrea made me reflect: so much has been taken from me but this life deserves to be attacked and lived to the fullest, as he does when he touches the sky with three fingers.” This is how Erika Siffredi, Cala’s partner, explained the presentation of the award to Andrea at the Frasassi Climbing Festival on September 8.
Meningitis with meningococcal sepsis took away both of Andrea’s legs and seven fingers on his hands, but his determination and willpower remained unaffected. From that hospital bed on which he took in so many losses, Andre has led the way by always moving forward in fifth gear, with an uncommon energy and drive. After the goals in athletics there was a return to the mountains. A comeback made of firsts, including that of Everest in May 2023. But the gear continues to gear up carbureted by the motto “Over All Limits,” and on the horizon already is a glimpse of the next goal. The Seven Summits.
Andrea’s sensitivity certainly does not make him forget to appreciate the achievements and share their beauty, if possible.
“I am truly honored to receive this recognition. Maybe it’s because I don’t feel it’s just mine and that’s why I decided to dedicate a project to it. I would like to return to Kenya together with my friend Massimo Coda, to have fun in the mountains and at the same time support a charity.”
