Val Gardena/Gröden delivers an exceptional ski spectacle
This year, on the last weekend before Christmas, the speed classics on the venerable Saslong were on the docket for the 55th time. The organizers of the Saslong Classic Club once again stood out with their impeccable organization at the anniversary edition and, true to their motto "Passion & Performance," attracted not only the best downhill skiers in the world but also ski fans from near and far.
"I know I can do more"
Christof Innerhofer gave an impressive performance proving that he is also good for a top ranking this year on the Saslong after a fourth place in the first training. In an interview, the South Tyrolean talks about his great start of the season and further goals this World Cup winter.
VIDEO: Peter Runggaldier talks about the secrets of the Saslong
Hardly anyone else knows the Saslong as well as the former ski racer Peter Runggaldier. The 49-year-old from Selva/Wolkenstein, who climbed a World Cup podium twelve times in the 1990s, took a close look at the race week for us.
From Val Gardena/Gröden to the whole wide world
The first downhill training was not only front and center in the Saslong editorial office but also covered by numerous online media. Here is a small excerpt...
The first training makes you want for more
During the second team captains’ meeting in Selva/Wolkenstein, FIS and the Organizing Committee reviewed the first downhill training and took a look at the rest of the race week ahead. The team is pleased with today and ready for the second training day.
The voices of the first training in Val Gardena/Gröden
At the first training run for the downhill classic on the Saslong, the American Travis Ganong was the fastest of all. After the training, racers gave their first assessments for the record.
Travis Ganong ahead in first practice run
On Wednesday, the first of two downhill training runs took place in Val Gardena/Gröden under wonderful sunny conditions. The American Travis Ganong clocked the fastest time.
Online media reports on first day in Val Gardena / Gröden
Not only the Saslong editorial team reported on first day in Val Gardena / Gröden but also numerous online media worldwide. Here is a selection...
"Ideal race course, good weather forecasts"
On Tuesday evening, the first team captains’ meeting took place in Selva/Wolkenstein, which traditionally opens the World Cup week in Val Gardena/Gröden. The discussion was about the race week in general as well as the condition of the race course - but there was more: as leaked during the meeting, the beleaguered Peter Fill will not participate in the downhill.
New ideas for more safety in skiing
As part of the Ski World Cup, a glimpse into the future of skiing will be takin in the NOI Techpark in Bolzano/Bozen and on the Saslong in Val Gardena/Grödenwill. At the "Safety Innovation Summit", suppliers, research institutes and athletes will discuss new ideas, concepts and projects for race and course safety. All aspects of safety will be explored - from course conditions, equipment and race organization to safety fences and barriers.
The Saslong editorial team is ready!
Everything is ready for the speed classics on the legendary Saslong in Val Gardena/Gröden. The race track is in an ideal condition, the weather forecasts are promising and the Saslong editors are ready to get to work as well.
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde: "I want to win the super-G"
Battle announcement by Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, winner of the 2017 Südtirol Ski Trophy; he is 26 and is no longer hiding behind his successful compatriots: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde was on the podium in Val Gardena/Gröden for the first time in 2015 and won the super-G World Cup in the same year - but he still sees himself in a learning stage. His long-term objective is to compete for the overall World Cup.
Program of the women's race in Val Gardena
Three practice runs and two races.
Here is the official program for the women's race at the Saslong:
Val Gardena/Gröden is looking forward to a big TV presence
The whole world is waiting for the ski races in Val Gardena/Gröden. As sports marketing company Infront announced, the races on the Saslong will be seen all across the European, Asian and North American continents.
Val Gardena/Gröden takes over Val d'Isère ladies‘ race
For the first time, Val Gardena/Gröden will host ladies‘ World Cup races. There will be a downhill and a super-G on the Saslong on 18 and 19 December. These two races and a combination had to be cancelled in Val d'Isère in France due to lack of snow.
Join us at the Camel Humps
One thing is sure: the Saslong is luring viewers looking for something special. For all those who want to turn their adventure into something unforgettable, the organizers have a few additional offerings: the SasLOUNGE, the VIP tent at the Finish or - uniquely in Val Gardena/Gröden - the special Camel Humps Package.
One new and two old acquaintances
Nils Mani, triple winner of the "Raiffeisen FIS Challenge" in Val Gardena/Gröden, Miriam Kirchler, victorious for the second time, and Federico Paini from Italy could cheer today. They all won a super-G on the 'Piz Sella' track in Plan de Gralba, Selva/Wolkenstein.
"Raiffeisen FIS Challenge": Three winning faces
Today, three more "Raiffeisen FIS Challenge" races took place on the 'Piz Sella' track in Plan de Gralba near Selva/Wolkenstein. In the men's downhill, Nils Mani (Switzerland) repeated his victory of the day before, in the ladies' races the Italian Ilaria Ghisalberti and the South Tyrolean Miriam Kirchler won.
FIS races: Switzerland celebrates double victory
In today's "Raiffeisen FIS Challenge”, both first and second places went to two Swiss: Nils Mani won in 1:27.89 seconds ahead of Lars Rösti (+0.43) and the Austrian Christopher Hörl (+0,45) who started for Moldova. The conditions were very good on the 'Piz Sella' course in Plan de Gralba, Selva/Wolkenstein.
FIS gives the green light
Everything is ready, including the race track! FIS confirmed the World Cup races on the Saslong at today's snow check. There will be a super-G on Friday, 14 December followed by the traditional downhill the day after.
„Raiffeisen FIS Challenge“ in Val Gardena/Gröden
A series of FIS races will take place in Val Gardena/Gröden from tomorrow Saturday to Monday on the 'Piz Sella' course in Plan de Gralba above Selva/Wolkenstein. The program includes super-G and downhill races for both men and women.
Fanclubs, we are looking forward to seeing you!
They are part of the Ski-World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden like the Camel Humps and the Ciaslat meadow, they have their own place on a dedicated grand stands and cannot be missed in 2018: the fan clubs! "It will be another great festival with fan clubs from South Tyrol and from all over Europe" promises fan club coordinator Genni Tschurtschenthaler.
Saslong course and Key Sections
The Saslong Downhill is named after the Ladin word of the 3181 m high mountain that rises behind it. It is one of the classic Downhill races in the World Cup.
South Tyrol welcomes the Ski World Cup
Today, a good three weeks before the Ski World Cup races on the Saslong and on the Gran Risa, the Organizing Committees presented the two events in Bolzano/Bozen. There will be four days of skiing at the highest level, enriched by a wonderful entertainment program for ski fans of all kinds.
Fascination and Myth of Saslong
Each year before Christmas, the Ski fans from all over the world turn their attention to the Saslong in Val Gardena/Gröden in South Tyrol, Italy.
What’s new in Val Gardena/Gröden this year
Camel Humps and Ciaslat remain the key sections on the Saslong, but all around the offer is getting bigger and better every year. What's new in 2018?
Val Gardena/Gröden is looking for the fastest kids
A special highlight awaits 120 young ski racers on the Val Gardena/Gröden World Cup weekend: kids will participate in the Vitalini Speed Contest on the finish schuss section immediately after the super-G on Friday, 14 December. We are looking for the fastest boy and girl!
In Autumn, too: Innerhofer fans rock Val Gardena/Gröden
Christof Innerhofer's fans secured themselves a hiking day in Val Gardena/Gröden with a double anniversary at last year's World Cup weekend on the Saslong. As expected, they had quite the celebration.
Val Gardena/Gröden delegation in Zurich
During the last few days, FIS held a number of important meetings in Zurich in preparation for the upcoming World Cup season. A delegation from the Val Gardena/Gröden Organizing Committee led by President Rainer Senoner was also in attendance.
New start time for downhill race
Today, FIS carried out its annual summer inspection visit in Val Gardena/Gröden. The two race directors Markus Waldner and Hannes Trinkl looked back on the 2017 races and took a close look at the Saslong course. It was announced that the race will start this year at 11:45 am and not at 12:15 pm as in the past.