“If someone really wants it, he can do it”: are the Swiss World Cup venues afraid of climate activists?

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One giant slalom in Sölden (Ö), two slaloms in Levi (Fi), one slalom in Gurgl (Ö). Not anymore. So far, only four of the nine planned World Cup races have taken place – a faltering start. The only classified men’s race was still talked about everywhere. Not necessarily because of the Austrian home win in Gurgl, but mainly because of the ‘Last Generation Austria’ campaign.

Flashback: Last Saturday, when five riders were still waiting in the starting house to start, several climate activists stormed into the finish area. They sprinkle orange-colored powder on the snow and hold up banners that say “Listen to the Climate Council!” The security service has its hands full: activists and paint are being removed, while slalom world champion Henrik Kristoffersen (29) shouts on Norwegian TV: “Damn idiots! They have no respect for the athletes and the spectators.” He describes what happened as “disgusting and despicable” and says: “I feel sick just thinking about her.”

Now the question arises: how will the Swiss World Cup organizers react to the incident in Austria? Are you afraid that something could happen again? Will security measures be tightened? Blick asked around.

St. Moritz GR (8 to 10 December 2023, 2 Super-Gs, 1 Downhill): it is being upgraded

After the Matterhorn races for both men and women were cancelled, the first World Cup races will take place in the Engadine this winter. “We are currently exploring our options and will expand our security measures on the mountain,” said OK President Robin Miozzari.

It has not yet been determined what the specific measures will look like. Miozzari does not want to talk about a heavily secured zone on the Corviglia. They want “the spectators and visitors to experience as little inconvenience as possible”. Last year more than 22,000 people came to the three races in St. Moritz.

Adelboden BE (6 and 7 January 2024, 1 giant slalom, 1 slalom): Spectators are monitored

Year after year, the Chuenisbärgli in Adelboden is transformed into a skiing madhouse – last year 24,000 people came to the giant slalom. As long as the weather cooperates, something similar will be the same this time. An ideal platform for protest actions? Head of Security Gerhard Germann has a clear opinion: “Disrupting racing activities in the most exciting phase is not fair and certainly not appropriate.”

But there will be no upgrades; the security concept has included dealing with climate activists and other interest groups for years. To this end, professional checks by the security company ensure a smooth and safe event for all attendees. “For about 15 years, visitors have been checked for prohibited items after checking the tickets at the entrance,” says Germann.

Wengen BE (January 12 to 14, 2024, 1 Super-G, 1 Downhill, 1 Slalom): Where would an action be likely?

Miozzari and Germann find the concerns of climate activists legitimate, as they both emphasize. Lauberhorn boss Urs Näpflin does the same, “although the way things have been done in Gurgl does not match my sense of a politically correct process.”

The problem in Wengen: the race circuit is 4.5 kilometers long, in many places you don’t have to pay an entrance fee – the tourist track is right next door. There are security guards, Näpflin emphasizes. And it is also clear which boundaries no one may cross. “But the fact is that if someone really wants it, they can hit the slopes somewhere.” In such a case, it is also important that TV does not draw too much attention to the irregular behavior in order to remove the incentive for future actions.

Extensive checks are simply not possible in Wengen, says Näpflin. However, people who stand out in any way are monitored, especially in the target area. Näpflin emphasizes that he is not afraid of a protest even after Gurgl. But don’t take the subject lightly and analyze the development. The first discussions have already been held with the security guards, and it will be decided later whether adjustments to the system are necessary. “It’s also about where action is most likely and where we need to be particularly vigilant.”

Crans-Montana USA (February 16 to 18, 2 downhills, 1 Super-G): like a wrestling festival

“So they don’t achieve what they want. On the contrary, they cause a lot of anger,” says Hugo Steinegger. The OC vice-president of the World Cup races in Crans-Montana thinks what the climate activists did in Gurgl is something: stupid. “You can see where this is going at the election – everyone is being thrown into the same pot,” he says, referring to the Greens’ recent losses at the ballot box.

The Valais plateau already has experience with climate activists. Last February there were indications of a larger operation and therefore special attention was paid. Nevertheless, a bare-chested man managed to climb the scoreboard scaffolding and hang a poster.

“The police deliberately did not intervene at the time; the problem solved itself,” Steinegger said. We are closely monitoring current developments and will respond if necessary, but: “A ski competition is similar to a wrestling festival – there is no aggressive atmosphere, people enjoy the sport. Hopefully it should and will always remain that way.”

Source : Blick