Delightful anticipation: The Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening is just around the corner in high winter conditions!

The men's event gets underway on Wednesday 8 November with the first training run on the "Gran Becca", before things get serious for the first time on Saturday 11 November with the first of two planned men's downhill runs at 11.30 am.

Three start options for the men

Originally, the organisers had planned to start the downhill at 3,800 metres above sea level. Due to the length of the course and the susceptibility to wind on Gobba di Rollin, the men's start was lowered to 3,720 metres above sea level. A second start is possible on the Matterhorn jump (3,615 metres above sea level). The third men's start option is the same as the women's start at 3,505 metres above sea level and is located on Italian territory.

All three courses have been homologated by the FIS Ski and Snowboard Association.  The start of the women's race was originally planned on the Matterhorn jump. However, the FIS wanted to move the women's start further down the course for safety reasons.  The local organising committee complied with the FIS's request, as the safety of the athletes and fair races have top priority.

Franz Julen, President of the local organising committee, says: "We need initial experience with the current women's start, which we will gather during the women's race week from 15 - 19 November. We have agreed with the FIS that moving the women's start to the Matterhorn jump remains an option for future events."

Prize money above the FIS minimum and spectacular Matterhorn ascent

The organisers are paying out a total of 200,000 Swiss francs in prize money per race, with the FIS minimum being 144,000 Swiss francs. The total prize money up for grabs is 800,000 Swiss francs. The winners will each receive 60,000 Swiss francs. If a skier wins both runs in one weekend, an additional 50,000 Swiss francs will be added.

The organisers also decided to choose the Matterhorn as the trophy for the fastest skiers. The wooden sculpture will be awarded in different sizes to the three fastest athletes and was created by the Aosta Valley sculptor Giangiuseppe Barmasse. The sculpture is three-dimensional and shows the Matterhorn in all its splendour and diversity. In addition to the trophy, the winners receive a voucher for a Matterhorn ascent with a mountain guide, either from the Swiss or Italian side.

Enormous media interest and a novelty at the start house

The local organising committee is also delighted about the huge media interest from all over the world. 230 media representatives from 14 nations have been accredited for the four races and will ensure that, weather permitting, splendid winter images from Zermatt and Cervinia will be broadcast to the world. This does not include the 90 technical staff from the various media companies.

There is also one special feature that needs to be emphasised: The "Gran Becca" has the first solar-powered start house. This has an integrated photovoltaic system with an area of approx. 60 m2. It consists of two parts: a small front part, which houses the starting area, and a larger rear part, which serves as a heated shelter for the athletes. The entire start house consists of a lightweight pneumatic shell that is manufactured without petroleum. It can be assembled and dismantled in a very short time and complies with FIS guidelines.

Limited number of tickets and Sunrise Fan Zone

Tickets for the individual race days at the Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening are available at www.speedopening.com. A good two thirds of the downhill course can be seen from both the finish stands and the "Cime Bianche Corner" in the finish area in "Laghi Cime Bianche", which is not the case at any other World Cup race. The grandstands for Saturday's downhill are sold out. Tickets are still available for Sunday and the women's downhill on the following weekend of 18/19 November.

Due to the limited spectator capacity in the finish area, the "Sunrise Fanzone" with video wall, race commentary and catering facilities will be set up on Testa Grigia near the national border. Admission is free, but a mountain railway ticket is required.

Media contact Switzerland
Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening
Media Office
David Taugwalder
E-mail: media@speedopening.com
Mobile: +41(0)79 847 39 89

Media contact Italy
Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening
Media Office
Andrea Chiericato
E-mail: media@speedopening.com
Mobile: +39 339 865 49 43