There are still twenty days until the decisive snow inspection by the FIS: is the premiere of the Matterhorn descent in danger?

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The strongest criticism of the Matterhorn descent so far comes from Austria. Almost two years ago, ORF expert Hans Knauss (51, Kitzbühel champion in 1999) described it as “complete nonsense if you want to start such a long descent at almost 4,000 meters altitude. Especially because most athletes do not have enough training kilometers in their legs in November due to the increasingly retreating glaciers.”

Last spring, ÖSV downhill coach Sepp Brunner even spoke of “a catastrophe for downhill sport!” Brunner was concerned that the basic training block in North America would not go ahead due to the Speed ​​World Cup opener scheduled for November 11 and 12 in Zermatt-Cervinia.

This week, Beat Feuz’s former successful coach is training the giant slalom on the small Matterhorn with the Austrian downhill hopeful. And compared to spring, Brunner responds much better to the Swiss-Italian downhill co-production. “The people of Zermatt offer training routes to all teams in the week before the races. And because the competitions in Lake Louise that were scheduled for the penultimate weekend of November have now been canceled from the World Cup calendar, we can complete a training block for the downhill and the Super-G in Beaver Creek.

And then the 64-year-old even begins the ultimate praise for the initiators of this race: “To improve the international reputation of our sport, we actually need a race like this in the region of the world-famous Matterhorn. And when I see how much effort people have put into this project, I think it’s sensational!”

Despite the ugly photos, the OR boss leaves no doubt

The question arises whether the high autumn temperatures have an impact on the exemplary work of the crew on the “Pista Gran Becca”. A video recording documents that there is little to no snow from the end of the glacier 20 days before the crucial FIS inspection. Is the World Cup premiere of the two-country downhill run (start in Switzerland, finish in Italy) in danger? OC boss Franz Julen (65) explains why doubts are unfounded despite everything! «The warm autumn weather does not affect the preparation of the slopes; two-thirds of the route on the glacier is ready. Work is already underway here on the necessary infrastructure such as cables, fiber optic and networks. And unlike last year, this year we have access to not just two, but five snow depots. And the amount of snow stored will be more than sufficient for the last part of the route.”

Julen adds: “Since Monday we have been clearing the snow from the slopes so that we are ready for the FIS inspection. And according to the weather forecasts, it will be colder next weekend. Then we should be able to produce technical snow at this altitude. Natural snow can also fall.”

A borderline punchline

However, another problem will not be solved this year, regardless of further developments. Because the authorities in Bern and Rome could not agree on a special agreement, the 50 Swiss soldiers who will be deployed on the “Gran Becca” may only prepare the part of the route on the Swiss side.

The organizing committee came up with a funny punch line for this border topic. At the border crossing, which is represented by an arch and, based on an idea by Pirmin Zurbriggen, a jump, a customs officer from Switzerland and Italy will be present during the races. “The two border guards will ensure that the racers jump correctly from Switzerland to Italy,” says Julen with a wink.

Anyone who wants to experience the first descent of the Matterhorn live at the finish area can get tickets online. The grandstand in Cervinia offers 5,500 seats for spectators.

Source : Blick