First men's training session in fantastic winter conditions, with enthusiastic athletes and satisfied organisers!

The best Swiss skier (and first to complete the run regularly) was Niels Hintermann in third place, 37 hundredths behind the best time. In between, the young Italian Benjamin Alliod with start number 68 finished in 2nd place (+0.32, also missing a gate). Stefan Rogentin finished in 8th place (+1.19) as the second-best Swiss skier. Last year's overall World Cup winner Marco Odermatt finished in 16th place (+1.61). Both Swiss skiers completed the run correctly.

After the first training session, the protagonists showed their delight with the new attraction on the World Cup circuit in the finish area. Marco Odermatt said: "I can draw very positive conclusions. The track was very, very good. The start area and the steep slope in particular are very nice to ski."

Niels Hintermann had words of praise after the first run: "This track is made for many riders and many riders are fired up for the weekend to be among the front runners. The races will be very exciting. If the weather cooperates, it will be great advertising for skiing." Norwegian ski star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde was also impressed by the "Gran Becca": "It's a dream to ski in this weather and with this view."

In the context of the premiere of these races, the first training session was of great importance in many respects, as this test run provided important insights into processes such as timekeeping, camera positions and partner organisation. The first impressions show that these processes work. Furthermore, at least one training session from the original start was a prerequisite for being able to organise races at the weekend. This requirement has been met today.

Christian Ziörjen, CEO of the local organising committee, says: "Of course, we always talk about the weather, which has to be right. Ultimately, however, the processes behind the scenes also have to be right. Today's training was an important day for us, just as it was for the athletes. We have seen where we still need to improve and will implement this accordingly over the coming days."

The detailed results of the training run are available under the following link: https://live.fis-ski.com.

Limited number of tickets and Sunrise Fanzone

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 stands at the finish 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