The organizers shone: why the Matterhorn project deserves another chance

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There were eight races on the program, eight races had to be canceled. These are the raw numbers and they are irrevocable. The frustration is enormous and the question that arises is legitimate: should the Matterhorn breeds be buried forever after two years? No. The organizer deserves a new chance – also because skiing needs innovative projects.

Now some will exclaim: What nonsense! These voices must also be taken seriously. Whether you want to hold ski races on a glacier 3,500 meters above sea level is a fundamental question. It is also questionable whether the timing in November is correct, because the weather is particularly unstable then. But over the past two weeks something became clear in Zermatt and Cervinia: those responsible have not only done their homework, but even shine compared to many other World Cup locations. The organisation? First class. The hill? Perfectly prepared – despite the constantly erratic weather. The lifeblood? Always present.

Willing to learn and able to criticize

But the project deserves the highest praise for another reason: people were willing to learn and capable of criticism. Examples?

From the very beginning, the slope experts came from Val Gardena. The snow depots will be expanded from two to five after 2022. Work outside the snow sports area discovered by the construction committee was immediately stopped. It was clear that the initial pomp and circumstance was too much: OC President Franz Julen decided not to have the longest track in the world and the two-country route became – at least for women – a purely Italian track. And in the end, the race jury’s decisions to cancel practices and races were accepted without complaint.

This must happen in 2024, otherwise things will be tight

The stubbornness often said about the mountain people is present in Zermatt and Cervinia in only one respect: their belief in their project. And so they will try again next November. The protection offered by sponsors applies at least until then – even if difficult discussions will now follow, such as with future standard insurance policies.

Despite the optimism and fighting spirit of the two-country project. It is also clear: if all races are canceled in 2024, not only will the financial pressure on the organizer be great, but the image will also be damaged. It’s not that far yet – there should and should be at least one attempt on the Matterhorn.

Source : Blick