Despite all the difficulties, Val Gardena/Gröden showed itself from its best side over the past few days and was thrilled to welcome the Alpine Ski World Cup to the Saslong for the 54th time. Italy's candidate for the 2029 World Ski Championships put together an excellently organized race and allowed all athletes, spectators and staff to enjoy the best conditions and a safe atmosphere during the race week.

In view of the tense COVID situation, staging the speed events at the base of the Sassolungo/Langkofel mountain was anything but easy for the organizers. "The epidemiological situation has certainly made it difficult for us to prepare for the World Cup. However, we have worked out a strong safety concept in the past weeks and months and have gone through all scenarios down to the smallest detail. The results of the last few days show that our efforts have finally paid off," explains the president of the Saslong Classic Club, Rainer Senoner.

The fact that the race week, which was marked by the return of the fans, went off without a hitch fills Senoner with great pride. "We were fortunately able to welcome spectators again this year after the athletes had to race in front of empty stands last year. At the same time, the ski resorts and all restaurants were also open again. The situation was new for us - but thanks to a comprehensive safety concept in place, everything worked out great," said the president of the Saslong Classic Club.

Turning towards the 2029 World Championships
With the flawless organization of the speed events, Val Gardena/Gröden handed out its business card in view of the 2029 Alpine World Ski Championships. "Our team did a very good job proving that we are ready for a major event such as the World Championships," emphasized Senoner, who also looked at this year's edition of the World Cup on the Saslong from the perspective of a potential future World Cup organizer.

After the races, the head of the OC had nothing but words of praise for all the people who were directly and indirectly involved in the event: "I would like to thank all the staff, the entire valley and also the province of South Tyrol for their support - without the help of each and every one of them, such successful speed races would not have been possible."

There was positive feedback following the race week not only from Senoner, but also from others outside the organization. FIS President Johan Eliasch, who was a guest on the Saslong for the first time this year, was particularly enthusiastic. "I have to confess that I made a mistake - I should have come to Gröden much earlier. The area here is beautiful, the people are warm and the event is perfectly organized," an enthusiastic Eliasch let it be known.

The words of the FIS President are an expression of the fact that the work in Val Gardena/Gröden is appreciated - with this, the organizers have taken an important step towards a successful bid for the 2029 World Ski Championships.