Also in 2018, the traditional fan club parade could not be missed during the World Cup week in Val Gardena/Gröden. Before the start of the Saturday downhill, the fans of the ski stars met in the centre of Santa Cristina to parade to the finish area of the Saslong. 

Ten fan clubs took part in the event this year. Among the fans were the South Tyrolean Christof Innerhofer and Dominik Paris, the Austrian Max Franz, Otmar Striedinger and Matthias Mayer, but also those of Christian Waldner and the Swiss Ralph Weber.

The victory at this year's parade went to the supporters of Otmar Striedinger. The Austrian fan group, who had travelled to South Tyrol in matching outfits, has been a staple in Val Gardena/Gröden for years and won again. The jury, which was made up of representatives of the local tourism organizations, was particularly impressed by an original choreography, which the fans had rehearsed especially for the races in the valley.

The victorious Otmar Striedinger fans can now look forward to a summer trip for 25 people to Val Gardena/Gröden. As part of their stay, the fan club can look forward to an exciting weekend with a great entertainment program.

Genni Tschurtschenthaler, responsible for the fan parade, underlined the great importance of the fan clubs for the races on the Saslong: "We are very pleased that every year so many fans of the ski stars find their way to Val Gardena/Gröden. They create an excellent atmosphere throughout the weekend giving the races a very special flair”.