Thanks to a brilliant second run, Alex, the 20-year-old son of the house, achieved the first World Cup podium in his young career on the selective slalom slope in Zagreb in January 2020. Vinatzer showed his class in the first run by finishing in 8th place. However after the second run it is clear – the South Tyroler is ready for the top. The second best time placed Vinatzer in 3rd place. “I’m really happy about my first podium in the World Cup. A huge thank you to my trainers, especially Jacques Theolier, and my family at home” said Alex after the race in Zagreb.
Alex also placed 6th at the World Cup Night Race in Schladming. A 13th place in Madonna di Campiglio and 14th place in Kitzbühel complete the top positions in this year's World Cup season.
Alex ended the World Cup seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 in 13th place in the Slalom classification. With a fourth and third place he got off to an optimal start in the 2020/21 slalom season. Then for unknown reasons his luck changed. In January he only finished in the points once in six starts. Unsure of himself, he started at the Ski World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo in February 2021. Suddenly he showed that you should never write him off. After the first manche he was in second position and a medal seemed to be in his reach. But then he narrowly missed a sensation, just missing the medal in the final manche and ending up in the thankless 4th place.
At the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022, Vinatzer and the Italian team finished 8th in the team competition.