The legendary Saslong and Ciampinoi-3 slopes are to host the Alpine World Ski Championships for the second time since 1970. Val Gardena/Gröden would like to host resource-saving competitions in seven and a half years and wants to make use of already existing slopes and predominantly existing infrastructures. A dossier was recently handed over to the Italian winter sports federation FISI, whose board will choose between Val Gardena/Gröden and the second candidate Sestriere on September 9. After that, the winner of this preliminary election at national level can submit its official candidacy to the international ski federation FIS.

Skiing has a long tradition in Val Gardena/Gröden. It goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, when the first ski tourists came to the Dolomite valley. But also in terms of ski racing, Val Gardena/Gröden has been a fixed point in the international calendar since the 1960s. Year after year, the Saslong is the venue for two races in the fast disciplines, which this year will take place for the 54th time on December 17 and 18, 2021, making it one of the most prestigious events in skiing worldwide. The absolute highlight in the more than 50-year history were the Ski World Championships in 1970 - a milestone for Val Gardena/Gröden, for South Tyrol and not least for Italian winter sports.

A lot has changed since then - the passion and enthusiasm for top performance in ski racing, which the Val Gardena Organizing Committee of the Saslong Classic Club has also firmly anchored in its mission statement with the slogan "Passion and Performance", are just as great now after five decades as they were back then. And that is why the World Cup Committee is now very keen to host a major event around the legendary Saslong for the second time since 1970.

The vision of Alpine World Ski Championships in Val Gardena/Gröden is supported by many people and institutions. The political leadership of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and the three municipalities of Val Gardena/Gröden, for instance, stand behind the courageous project with great conviction, which also has absolute supporters in the tourism industry of the valley. "But even more important is the great support in large parts of the population in Val Gardena/Gröden and also beyond. With great enthusiasm, many people face the idea of Alpine Ski World Championships 2029 and want to actively participate in an international sports festival of superlatives," Rainer Senoner, president of the Saslong Classic Club, is firmly convinced.  

The competitions should be sustainable, which is why the races will be held on already existing slopes and mainly use existing infrastructures. "These are to be World Championships that give the outstanding athletes from Val Gardena/Gröden the opportunity to actively experience World Championships in their own backyard. An innovative sporting event that sets new impulses and encourages the valley's youth to continue their love for skiing. And last but not least, a sustainable major event that creates new jobs and boosts local economic cycles," says Senoner, who, together with his team, the political decision-makers and, last but not least, the population of Val Gardena/Gröden, is eagerly awaiting the decision of the Italian Winter Sports Association on Thursday, September 9.