It all started on November 30, 2019 in the afternoon at Plan Maison above Cervinia. The exponents of Cervino S.p.A. and Zermatt Bergbahnen AG met at the beginning of the season for the annual exchange of ideas. One of the topics discussed was the new 3S lift from Testa Grigia to the Klein Matterhorn, which connects Zermatt and Cervinia all year round and represents the highest Alpine Crossing. During the discussions, the Italian representatives spontaneously suggested that after the completion of the 3S lift, a World Cup downhill run could be organized from Gobba di Rollin across the border down to Laghi Cime Bianche. 

A visionary project with great potential

Franz Julen, Chairman of the Board of Zermatt Bergbahnen AG and a profound expert on the skiing scene, immediately recognized the potential of this unique cross-border project. He presented the idea to the international ski federation FIS, the national ski associations of Switzerland (Swiss-Ski), Italy (FISI) and the most important service partners in Zermatt and Cervinia. Everyone was enthusiastic, and so it was decided to realize this innovative event as soon as possible.

From spontaneous idea to reality

Step by step, the vision of a cross-border World Cup race was turned into reality. First of all, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion Didier Défago set to work as piste builder. The two national ski associations Swiss-Ski and FISI, the two cable car companies Zermatt Bergbahnen AG and Cervino S.p.A. as well as the two tourism associations Zermatt Tourismus and Consorzio Cervino Turismo founded the association "Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening". The association entrusted the organization of these World Cup races to a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) under President Franz Julen, Vice President Marco Mosso and CEO Christian Ziörjen.

Passion and a shared vision as the driving force

Each of the six partners has a clearly defined task mandate. In addition, the LOC of the Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening can count on the profound knowledge of a team of experts from Val Gardena/Gröden, who have the necessary experience in the Ski World Cup with the organization of the annual ski races on the Saslong. So behind this unique and challenging project is a wide network of cooperation and passionate people with completely different cultures and backgrounds, but all with one and the same vision and with a single goal in mind: to make speed racing on "La Gran Becca" a reality as soon as possible.

#SWISS-SKI #FISI #ZERMATT TOURISM #CERVINO TURISMO #CERVINO S.p.A. #ZERMATT BERGBAHNEN #CERVINIA-VALTOURNENCHE #ZERMATT