Six pressing questions about the women’s struggle on the Matterhorn: There is more coal than on the Lauberhorn

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It remains complicated. Two of the three training sessions already had to be cancelled. The biggest problem is the wind, which is virtually unpredictable at 3000 meters above sea level. “I just hope that the races are not pushed at all costs,” said Lara Gut-Behrami, 32, who is concerned about the fairness of the event. Joana Hählen (31) says: “It will be a weather lottery.”

The only training had little meaning. One thing is certain: this fairly simple route requires excellent gliding skills. Corinne Suter (29) is the Swiss top scorer. Kajsa Lie (25, no), Christine Scheyer (29, Austria) and Breezy Johnson (27, USA) are also hot. There is also speed queen Sofia Goggia (31, It), who can do anything anyway.

100 World Cup points – like everywhere. But that is not everything! The winner receives 60,000 francs – nowhere else in the women’s ski circus is there more money. For comparison: the winner of the Lauberhorn descent receives 47,000 francs – whoever wins in Kitzbühel receives 100,000 francs. Each winner will also receive a voucher for climbing the Matterhorn.

The scenery at this height is breathtaking. However, the Gran Becca (“Great Mountain” in the Aosta Valley dialect) is not particularly difficult – there are no major challenges. “I like it when it’s boring. Then I have time for other things – for example to sing a song,” Norwegian Lie joked after the training. After all, the jumps promise spectacular images.

67 percent of the 1,700 grandstand seats are gone. The organizers assume that 90 percent will be sold in good weather. The destination in Laghi Cime Bianche (It) at 2840 meters above sea level can be reached from Cervinia (It) within 30 minutes. If you travel from Zermatt it will take 1 hour and 15 minutes.

The organizers originally wanted to start the women’s race just below the Matterhorn jump. The FIS had safety concerns, so the OC postponed the start – now the entire route (2910 meters) is on Italian soil. There is a possibility that the start in 2024 – and therefore also to Switzerland – will be postponed again.

Source : Blick