What the media say about the downhill training

In the first and only training run on the Saslong, a relative unknown French racer, Nils Allegre, landed in first place. Numerous national and international media reported from the downhill training in Val Gardena/Gröden.

Here is a short excerpt.

Outsiders stood out in today’s Training

On Tuesday, the first and only training for the two downhill races on the Salsong took place in Val Gardena/Gröden. Under excellent external conditions, the French athlete Nils Allegre surprisingly set the best time.

"We always have a lot of fun here in Val Gardena/Gröden"

The Saslong showed its best side during today’s downhill training and caused many happy faces among athletes in the finish area. We collected a few comments by protagonists after today’s run.

Part 1: Fun facts from 54 issues of Saslong Classic

Stories about triumphant victories and matching defeats. About tricks, daring jumps and rockets under the skis. About animals that have strayed onto the slopes. The list of anecdotes before the 55th Saslong Classic and the 100th World Cup race on the Saslong is long. So here is the first part of a small selection of ten fun facts to read, marvel at and smile about... 

The Saslong editorial team is ready

In Gröden ist alles angerichtet für eine besondere Weltcup-Woche mit insgesamt drei Rennen auf der ehrwürdigen Saslong. Während die Athleten am Dienstag das erste und einzige Training für die beiden Abfahrten in Angriff nehmen, hat auch die Saslong-Redaktion ihre Arbeit aufgenommen.

"The Saslong is like a dream"

The Team Captains' Meeting at the House of Culture in Selva/Wolkenstein officially kicked off the 55th Saslong Classic on Monday evening.

This week, representatives of all 17 teams competing in Val Gardena/Gröden attended the Team Captains' Meeting and were welcomed by Rainer Senoner, President of the Saslong Classic Club. In addition, the FIS technical delegate, Viktor Gichev, wished all athletes a successful race week.

Curtain up for the 55th Saslong Classic in Val Gardena/Gröden

The 55th Saslong Classic was kicked off on Monday with the awarding of the winner of last year's DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy. Bryce Bennett was honored in the context of a harmonious celebration on Lisa's Alm on the legendary downhill course in Val Gardena/Gröden. On Tuesday, 13 December, the first and probably only downhill training is scheduled starting at 11:45 am.

55th Ski World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden officially inaugurated

The employees of the Saslong Classic know this feeling well: Sunday evening before the race and the kick-off meeting is a popular must-attend event for all volunteers receiving the most crucial information about the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Val Gardena/Gröden first hand.

Val Gardena/Gröden Power in the Alpine Ski World Cup

The Saslong is not only centerstage for the exciting speed classics in the Ski World Cup. Three alpine ski racers participating at this highest level of the competition call Val Gardena/Gröden their home.

Speakers in a class of their own in the Saslong stadium

The Ski World Cup lives on emotions, and the speakers at the Finish substantially contribute to this outstanding atmosphere. Because of the 55th Saslong Classic, the organizers rely on the tried and tested. As last year, Claudia Morandini and Stefan Steinacher will fire up the thousands of fans in the Finish Stadium.

A third race for the World Cup Anniversary on the Saslong

The Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Val Gardena will include three races this year. On Thursday, 15th December, in fact, a downhill race will replace the race cancelled in Beaver Creek (USA).

Green light for the World Cup anniversary on the Saslong

It’s all systems go for the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden on December 16 and 17, 2022. After the positive snow check on Saturday, the 55th Saslong Classic on the last weekend before Christmas was officially confirmed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.

The tickets for the 55th Saslong Classic are on sale now!

The whole Europe is facing a heatwave these days. And when the temperature rises above 30 degrees, very few people think about skiing. But winter will come and so will the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, which this year will stop in Val Gardena on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th December. As of now, tickets for the spectacular speed races on the Saslong are available on the official website of the South Tyrolean “ski classic” www.saslong.org 

The 54th Saslong Classic inspires the international ski circuit

Shortly before Christmas, the Saslong Classic Club hosted the best Alpine ski racers for the 54th time as part of the Val Gardena/Gröden Speed Classic. Despite the difficult conditions, the organizers around President Rainer Senoner put together an excellently organized race week and once again provided an outstanding sporting event.

Val Gardena/Gröden is one step closer to the 2029 Alpine Ski World Cup

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.

Bennett also grabs the DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy

With his triumph in the downhill, surprise man Bryce Bennett crowned himself winner of the special prize DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the racer who scores the most World Cup points in the speed events on the Saslong.

"To win here is incredible!"

The American Bryce Bennett has caused a big surprise in the downhill on the Saslong claiming his first World Cup victory. We have captured the voices of the racers.

Bennett takes his first World Cup victory in the downhill classic

Big surprise in the downhill classic on the Saslong: The American Bryce Bennett outdid the entire competition in the highlight of the Val Gardena/Gröden race week claiming his first World Cup victory with a bold performance.

The favorites opt for higher bib numbers

Early on Friday evening, bib numbers for the downhill classic on the Saslong were announced during the team captains' meeting.

After the super-G is before the downhill

A brief analysis of the super-G was on the agenda at the fourth and final team captains' meeting on Friday evening in Selva/Wolkenstein. At the same time, final details for the downhill classic on Saturday were discussed.

Press review of the super-G on the Saslong

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde's repeated triumph in Val Gardena/Gröden was the covered in many media from all over the world.

Kilde on the way to win his second DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy

This year, the DOLOMITES Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy will be awarded for the second time at the Saslong Classic. The prestigious special prize goes to the athlete who scores the most World Cup points in the two speed events on the Saslong.

"Kilde is phenomenonal"

Top favorite Aleksander Aamodt Kilde once again flexed his muscles in the Super-G on the Saslong and - as before at the base of the Sassolungo/Langkofel mountain - was unbeatable. We have collected the voices of the athletes after the race.

Kilde grabs his fourth Saslong gold in super-G

The first of the two speed races of the 54th Saslong Classic has ended with a victory by the big favorite: Norway's Aleksander Aamodt Kilde lived up to the expectations in the super-G and bagged his third consecutive Val Gardena/Gröden triumph.

What the media write about the second downhill training run

The Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde garnered attention with his best time in the second and final training run for the downhill on Saturday. The training on the Saslong was the subject of numerous national and international media reports.

Who but Kilde?

That the winner of the 54th edition of the Saslong Classic would have to race past Aleksander Aamodt Kilde was already clear long before the Norwegian clocked the best time in the final training for the downhill classic on Saturday. The 29-year-old feels right at home in Val Gardena/Gröden and is hunting for his next podium wins on the venerable Saslong after his speed double gold in 2020.

Bailet opens the super-G, favorites are chasing later

At the team captains' meeting on Thursday evening, the start numbers for the super-G on the Saslong were assigned.

"We are ready for Saturday"

At the third team captains' meeting on Thursday evening, those responsible for the Val Gardena-Gröden race week reviewed the successful final training for the downhill scheduled for Saturday.

Numerous TV stations broadcast the Val Gardena/Gröden speed races live

A large number of TV stations will ensure that the spectacular images from Val Gardena/Gröden of the 54th edition of the Saslong Classic can be viewed in real time from anywhere in the world. Here’s an overview of which stations will be broadcasting the two races live this weekend.

"The downhill will be a big challenge”

After the final training run, the focus of the speed racers already pivoted to the upcoming races. We captured some voices following the second training run.