Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening: winners take home the Matterhorn!
In Kitzbühel there's the golden chamois, while the World Cup race in Levi is traditionally associated with reindeer. A victory trophy will be awarded for the first time in Zermatt at the end of October and the winners of the first cross-border World Cup races can look forward to the Matterhorn – in the truest sense of the word.
Four races, two countries and one mountain on the centre stage: the Matterhorn. Probably the most photographed mountain in the world, the Matterhorn will be visible during the entire downhill race on the “Gran Becca” World Cup course. The 4,478-metre-high Matterhorn is also the emblem of both Zermatt and Cervinia. To mark this close association, the organisers quickly realised that the Matterhorn should stay with the winners of the first “Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening” when the race is done – in the form of a victory trophy.
Regional sculpture for the best of the best
The winning trophy, which is awarded to the winners of the first three places in various sizes, is a three-dimensional representation by sculptor Giangiuseppe Barmasse that depicts the Matterhorn in its full splendour and diversity. Based in the Aosta Valley, Barmasse was born in 1962 in Aosta and now lives and works in Valtournenche. The Italian artist began creating traditional sculptures as a child and has devoted himself entirely to his passion since 1989.
For the winners, the sky is the limit
But the victory trophy is not all: alongside a mini Matterhorn for their mantelpiece, the top prize will also include the opportunity to climb the Matterhorn. The ascent with a professional mountain guide can be made from Switzerland or Italy, with no time limit.