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MATTERHORN CERVINO SPEED OPENING

Downhills Men
29 and 30 October 2022

Downhills Women
05 and 06 November 2022

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FIRST CROSS-BORDER SKI WORLD CUP RACE IN HISTORY

In autumn 2022, the time has come: the first cross-border ski World Cup race in the history of the World Cup will be held on the «Gran Becca» course, newly designed by Olympic downhill champion Didier Défago! While the finish is in Cervinia (Laghi Cime Bianche), Italy, the start is above Zermatt (Gobba di Rollin) in Switzerland - at 3800 metres. That makes the Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening not only the highest downhill race in the World Cup calendar but also the first ever Alpine Ski World Cup on a glacier, (with two thirds of the course on the glacier).

The World Cup races in Zermatt/Cervinia will take place on 29/30 October and 5/6 November 2022 - immediately after the World Cup opener in Sölden. The programme includes two downhill runs each for the men and women. The Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening thus opens the World Cup season for speed athletes, allowing them to start the season a month earlier than before.

«Gran Becca» - Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening - Audi FIS Ski World Cup

AN INNOVATIVE AND UNIQUE PROJECT WITH PIONEERING CHARACTER

The driving forces behind this innovative and unique project with pioneering character are, in addition to the International Ski Federation FIS in close partnership, the two national ski associations Swiss-Ski and FISI (Federazione Italiana Sport Invernali), the two lift companies Zermatt Bergbahnen AG and Cervino S.p.A as well as the two tourism associations Zermatt Tourismus and Consorzio Cervino Turismo.

"Reduction of the FIS carbon footprint"

«The inclusion of the races strengthens the speed disciplines and offers special sporting moments for athletes and fans thanks to the historic routing with start in Switzerland and finish in Italy. The fact that the teams have the opportunity to train locally all year round could also reduce travel to long distance venues in the southern hemisphere and help FIS reduce its carbon footprint.»

Johan Eliasch
President of FIS
 

"Ski associations look forward to new challenge"

«For years, the wish has been expressed for more speed events in the World Cup calendar in order to create a balance between speed and technical races. With the Speed Opening at the foot of the Matterhorn, we can now meet this request faster than we had hoped.»

Urs Lehmann
President of Swiss-Ski 

"Milestone in the history of the Alpine Ski World Cup"

«This transnational World Cup event is a milestone in the history of the Alpine Ski World Cup. The fact that the premiere can already take place at the beginning of the coming season is a great challenge, which we are happy to accept.» 

Flavio Roda
President of FISI

"Concentrated know-how as a guarantee for success"

«With Swiss-Ski, the FISI, the team of experts from Val Gardena/Gröden responsible for the sporting organization of the races, Didier Défago as piste planner and Pirmin Zurbriggen as advisor and ambassador, as well as the key people on the local organizing committee, we have the necessary experience to organize a top event over the upcoming months.»

Franz Julen
President of Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening

"A downhill run that leaves nothing out!"

«In addition to the unique panorama, the unspoilt nature and of course the view of the Matterhorn, the course itself is also impressive: we have created a downhill run that has everything – from jumps to long turns and gliding sections to speed elements, it doesn't leave anything out.»

Didier Défago
Race Designer

"A dream comes true"

«I appreciate being able to contribute my knowledge and experience to such a visionary and innovative project. The World Cup races in Zermatt and Cervinia are a dream come true.»

Pirmin  Zurbriggen
Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening Ambassador and Advisor

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS

© Keystone

The first cross-border Ski World Cup races in the history of the World Cup will be held on the «Gran Becca» course.

The initiator and one of the driving forces behind this unique project is Franz Julen (pictured here on the left with course builder Didier Défago).

For Didier Défago, it is important to design a course that is equally attractive for the riders and the spectators. On the «Gran Becca», the athletes reach a maximum speed of 135km/h.

Former ski racer, downhill Olympic champion and multiple world champion Pirmin Zurbriggen is ambassador and advisor to the Speed Opening: «The World Cup races in Zermatt and Cervinia are a dream come true.»

Didier Défago, 2010 Olympic downhill champion and designer of the «Gran Becca» race course, explains the course layout to media representatives.

In the face of the world-famous Matterhorn, a total of four downhill races take place - two each for the men and two for the women.

On 29 and 30 October, two men's downhill races are on the programme, and on 5 and 6 November, the women prove themselves in the supreme discipline.

The Matterhorn Cervinia Speed Opening thus opens the speed season and enables the speed athletes to start the season a month earlier than before.

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