Et was to be the first two-country race in the history of alpine skiing. The highest start in the World Cup at 3,720 meters and the unique natural scenery in the midst of several four-thousanders should make the spectacular downhill run on the Matterhorn an event of superlatives. The men’s speed start for the coming weekend has now been canceled and the event is all about climate change.
“The track on the glacier is in a good condition for racing, but it rained heavily in the lower part of the track. From the end of the glacier to the finish, the slope is not suitable for racing and the safety of the athletes is also not guaranteed,” said the FIS. The first women’s race of the season on Saturday in Sölden had already been canceled due to bad weather conditions.
Cancellation a shock for Matterhorn organizers
For the organizers of the descents on the Matterhorn, where Germany’s fastest Thomas Dreßen was to make his comeback, the cancellation came as a shock. “We have done so much in the last few weeks and months. Logistically and organizationally. On the track, the team gave everything until the end so that we could also handle the lower part of the race track. Ultimately, however, we have to recognize that nature is always stronger than man,” said the OC President of the Zermatt World Cup downhill, Franz Julen.
The goal of the FIS dreams: The world association wanted to hold a race on the Matterhorn.
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Image: dpa
The event had caused massive criticism in the alpine scene. Above all, the date – for the first time the speed kick-off was to take place at the end of October and thus a month earlier than usual – caused a shake of the head in many places. “The time for these descents on the Matterhorn comes much too early in the season and is completely outdated,” said former ski star Felix Neureuther and lamented the gigantic effort: “Glacier crevasses are pushed in and due to the length of the slope, a snow-making machine is started, which in no related to contemporary thinking and acting”.
As usual, FIS President Johan Eliasch defended the spectacular races against criticism. The Brit explained that the Matterhorn downhills were about closing the previous gap in the World Cup calendar after the season opener in Sölden. On the other hand, the new slope makes it possible to reduce the CO2 footprint because it offers all teams great training opportunities, the 60-year-old continues.
The fact is: in Zermatt, the zero-degree mark rose to over 5100 meters in summer – numerous crevasses were exposed and skiing was stopped. And because of the better training conditions in the summer, the downhillers go to South America anyway.
Work is now in full swing in Zermatt so that at least the women’s races can be held on November 5th and 6th. “We give the organizers until Tuesday to make a final decision,” said FIS Secretary General Michel Vion.
Embarrassed expression: Markus Mayr, the World Ski Association’s race director responsible for the women in Sölden
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Image: AFP
The first World Cup race of the season, the women’s giant slalom this Saturday in Sölden, had already been canceled due to poor weather conditions. The start of the first run was initially postponed by an hour, but shortly afterwards the race was canceled completely. There had been precipitation during the night, and the rain continued in the morning. It was also very foggy along the route.
“We had several hours of rain last night and consequently wet snow. The course was too soft to ensure a safe race,” said FIS race director Peter Gerdol, explaining the cancellation. A possible replacement race should be decided in the coming days.
The men’s giant slalom is planned for Sunday on the Rettenbachferner. “The prediction is promising. If we can prepare the track this afternoon and then have a dry night, I’m confident,” said Gerdol.
