Sofia Goggia, Corinne Suter & Co.: The world's best female ski athletes are about to make their debut on the «Gran Becca»!
The best downhill skiers in the world have arrived in Cervinia and will be taking on a completely new challenge in the World Cup circuit over the next few days. While a total of three training sessions are scheduled above Cervinia and Zermatt from Wednesday to Friday, the two races at the weekend are all about the first downhill World Cup points of the season and a total of no less than 400,000 Swiss francs in prize money.
The piste on which 2018 Downhill World Cup winner and Olympic champion Sofia Goggia will be the big hunted is called "Gran Becca", just like the men's piste. It is 2910 metres long and has a difference in altitude of 665 metres.
The first training session on Wednesday 15 November, scheduled for 11.45 a.m., will allow conclusions to be drawn about the form of the world's best female downhill skiers. The first test run will be opened by the American Isabella Wright. Priska Nufer will be the first Swiss woman to tackle the new challenge with bib number 3, and Federica Brignone will be the first Italian with bib number 5. Particularly exciting: the three best downhill skiers from last season will start one after the other: Sofia Goggia has bib number 12, Corinne Suter bib number 13 and Ilka Stuhec bib number 14.
The scheduled training runs on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 November will also start at 11.45 am.
400,000 euros in prize money, sculptures and a Matterhorn ascent
In addition to the aforementioned 400,000 Swiss francs in prize money, to which a further 50,000 Swiss francs will be added as a special bonus for a double victory, the most successful speed aces can look forward to unique non-cash prizes. In addition to 60,000 Swiss francs, the winners will be presented with the Matterhorn as a trophy. The wooden sculpture in various sizes will go to the three fastest female athletes and was created by Aosta sculptor Giangiuseppe Barmasse. The work of art is three-dimensional and shows the Matterhorn in all its splendour and diversity. In addition, the winner will receive a voucher for a climb of the Matterhorn accompanied by a mountain guide. This voucher is valid for life.
Preparations for the women's downhill races have been in full swing since Monday. "Hundreds of volunteers from Italy and Switzerland are working hard on and off the piste to provide the best female racers in the world with optimum conditions. It is not only a matter of transporting the quantities of fresh snow from the race course and the finish area, but also installing the safety nets. There is also a lot to do in the villages of Cervinia and Zermatt. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the staff," says OC CEO Christian Ziörjen.
Tickets are available - Attractive supporting programme in the villages
Tickets for the individual race days at the Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening are available on the official event website 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.
Due to the limited spectator capacity in the finish area, the "Sunrise Fanzone" will be set up on Testa Grigia near the national border with a video wall, race commentary and catering facilities. Admission is free, but a mountain railway ticket is required. In the VIP area, which is an experience in a class of its own, guests will be spoilt by star chef Paolo Griffa.
Both in Cervinia and in Zermatt, all those interested in skiing will be offered an entertaining supporting programme. Information on this can also be found on the official website www.speedopening.com.