© Keystone

The first cross-border Ski World Cup races in the history of the World Cup will be held on the «Gran Becca» course.

The initiator and one of the driving forces behind this unique project is Franz Julen (pictured here on the left with course builder Didier Défago).

For Didier Défago, it is important to design a course that is equally attractive for the riders and the spectators. On the «Gran Becca», the athletes reach a maximum speed of 135km/h.

Former ski racer, downhill Olympic champion and multiple world champion Pirmin Zurbriggen is ambassador and advisor to the Speed Opening: «The World Cup races in Zermatt and Cervinia are a dream come true.»

Didier Défago, 2010 Olympic downhill champion and designer of the «Gran Becca» race course, explains the course layout to media representatives.

In the face of the world-famous Matterhorn, a total of four downhill races take place - two each for the men and two for the women.

On 29 and 30 October, two men's downhill races are on the programme, and on 5 and 6 November, the women prove themselves in the supreme discipline.

The Matterhorn Cervinia Speed Opening thus opens the speed season and enables the speed athletes to start the season a month earlier than before.