These concerns plague the super-rich in St. Moritz: “Everything is becoming more expensive for us too.”

The sun’s rays shine on the water of Lake St. Moritz, which should actually be completely frozen in winter. But in recent years, a puddle of water has formed every year, a White Turf regular told Watson.

A frozen Lake St. Moritz is essential for the traditional equestrian event in the disciplines of canter, trot and skijoring. The ice layer must not only support the more than 45 horses, but also the 10,000 visitors.

It’s just after noon on the first of three racing Sundays. Half of the six races are over when the loudspeaker says: “Dear guests, we have to close a grandstand because the water is rising underneath. This way you prevent the disease from spreading to the circuit.”

Not all White Turf guests notice this development equally: While those who had paid for the grandstand had to move to the other two grandstands, the 1,000 VIP guests continued to enjoy themselves in the area specially cordoned off for them. There they are among each other.

In large tents they are kept happy with caviar, oysters, truffles and other extravagant delicacies. They paid between 390 and 690 francs for their ticket.

A VIP guest is Vittorio Salvi from the canton of Bern, who traveled to White Turf with his wife. “Suits the Rolls-Royce,” he tells Watson. The entrepreneur has been going to the prestigious event in St. Moritz for 10 years. He expects costs of around R10,000 for four days at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. For him – who owns eight luxury cars, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Mercedes – it is a piece of cake: his outfit alone, including jewelry and Rolex, costs more than 170,000 francs.

Salvi is not worried about the future of the white grass on the frozen Lake St. Moritz: “I don’t believe in global warming. There used to be an ice age in Switzerland, now that’s normal.” Wait and see is his motto. He sees a greater challenge in the current geopolitical situation. “All these wars are for nothing. It’s all about wasting money and there are no winners” , he says.

A couple from Germany also traveled to White Turf. The man tells Watson that he does not want to read his name in the media. But he describes himself as “St. Moritz lover”.

They are going on holiday together in the chic town for two weeks – he does not want to reveal where exactly. Exactly that much: he spends up to 2,000 francs a day.

He is also concerned about the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. But he is also not indifferent to the price increase. “We all feel inflation, no one is spared from it. My monthly expenses are 30 percent higher than three years ago,” he says. However, he was still able to maintain his standard of living.

Robert and Annie Wilkinson traveled from England to St. Moritz especially for the White Turf – of course in Frist Class with British Airways. «It’s our first time at White Turf. We thought, we have to do this now because the event might not last long due to global warming,” says Annie.

As big horse lovers, they certainly wanted to be there. Even if the trip costs money. The couple had budgeted around £6,000 for the four days. In addition to the climate crisis, they are also concerned about inflation: “Everything is also becoming more expensive for us. “The costs of keeping horses have increased, especially in England.”

Julia spends a week in St. Moritz. With hotel and food, she would expect to spend R20,000, but this time she would be at her boyfriend’s family’s apartment.

“I like coming to the White Turf because you meet a special community here and because it is fun to look at the horses,” she says. Julia is concerned about global warming: “I worry whether this event on the frozen lake will still exist in the coming years.”

While some guests are concerned about the future of White Turf, organizers are less concerned. Organizers said when temperatures were high, melting ice had become a challenge.

Are you afraid that the event cannot take place for much longer due to climate change? “It’s not a problem at this point.” The White Grass is going so well that you might want to think about ending the event. On the first of three racing Sundays alone, a stake amount of more than 87,000 francs was received.

If the White Turf were to no longer take place, it would have drastic consequences for St. Moritz and the surrounding area. The hotels in particular benefit from the wealthy guests during the three race weekends.

When asked, the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski wrote that the event was “positively reflected in the occupancy rate of the hotel”. “Our hotel will become a meeting place for lovers of equestrian sports, art and an exclusive lifestyle.” Prices would also rise due to increased demand.

From the luxury hotel Kulm it sounds the same: “Our hotel is very well booked and fully booked the entire month.” The White Turf even has appeal in the surrounding villages, as Hotel Cresta Palace in Celerina writes: “We are fully booked for the White Turf weekends. These days are like a magnet in the Engadin.”