I will not give up on this racetrack

Peter Fill, two-time overall downhill winner, talks about his mixed relationship with the Saslong and what role the material will play in this year's downhill.

We are ready

After a long day, FIS racing boss Markus Waldner reviewed the day’s events at the team captains' meeting.

What is reported on the races in Val Gardena: Gröden

Not only the Saslong editorial team reported on today's downhill training but also numerous online media worldwide. Here is a selection...

All's well that ends well!

A fog bank was quite persistent in the upper section, so that the second downhill training had to be interrupted several times today. It took more than three hours to have all racers at the finish. The fastest athlete today was Austrian Matthias Mayer, ahead of the Canadian Benjamin Thomsen and Otmar Striedinger.

Racers are pleased with course conditions

Constant interruptions due to the fog made today's downhill training a never-ending story. The Saslong editorial board has captured some of the athletes' voices from today's training.

Acrobats, Fireworks and a Lot of Skiing History

While preparations are still in full swing, the excitement for the party of the year is almost immeasurable. Just one more sleep, then the day is finally here: the most spectacular anniversary party ever seen in Val Gardena/Gröden is taking place in the finish area of ​​the Saslong.

Pleased with first training run.

The FIS and the Val Gardena/Gröden OC are pleased with the first downhill training which took place today without complications - albeit on a shortened track from the Super-G start. But there will be a small change in tomorrow's training ...

What Mapel, Dressen, Fill & Co. are saying about the Downhill Training...

Now it is certain: The American Jared Goldberg is fastest on the shortened training course. Close behind him is his teammate Wiley Maple. Third placed is German Thomas Dressen.

Online Media Reports on First Downhill Training in Val Gardena/Gröden

Two Americans set the pace in today’s opening training run: Jared Goldberg was fastest in the first run ahead of Wiley Maple and German Thomas Dressen. This is how online media reported on the events:

Americans are leading first training run.

The opening training run started from the Super-G start and was half an hour later than scheduled, at 12:45 pm, on the icy and bumpy Saslong course. "The track in the upper part was softened by the snowfall at night and thus it would not have been possible to guarantee the same conditions for all 96 racers" explains Race Director Rainer Senoner.

Special Races, Special Trophies

The two winning trophies created especially for the anniversary edition of the World Cup races in Val Gardena/Gröden are made of linden wood. They will be handed to the fastest skiers at the awards ceremony after the Super-G and the downhill.

A Residual Risk Remains

Markus Waldner, FIS race director, talks to the Saslong editorial staff about the level of safety standards at World Cup races and about the importance of good course preparation.

Race Week Opened: Saslong offers Fresh Snow and Ice

The first team captains’ meeting for the World Cup races in Val Gardena/Gröden kicked off this evening at 8 pm. It was opened by the President of the Organizing Committee, Rainer Senoner, who cordially welcomed all present to the 50th edition of the World Cup races in Val Gardena/Gröden.

Saslong Editorial Board is ready!

The racetrack has been prepared, the athletes have arrived in Val Gardena/Gröden, the organization is ready to go - and with it also the Saslong editorial board, which is celebrating its 16th anniversary this year. Throughout the week, the five-person-strong team will report online about the racing events in Val Gardena/Gröden and thus keep ski fans, journalists and media people from all over the world up to date.

Anecdotes, part 3: Aksel Lund Svindal and Marc Girardelli

Aksel Lund Svindal: World Cup debut with panoramic views
"Val Gardena/Gröden is unique and very special to me. Not only because I had my World Cup speed debut here but also because I placed sixth on my first Super-G with bib number 56 - along with that guy Bode Miller - and only 11/100 seconds behind my countryman, the big Kjetil Andre Aamodt.

Opening of Südtirol Ski Trophy Hall of Fame

In just a few days, the first of the four men’s Ski World Cup races is taking place in South Tyrol. To kick it off, the Südtirol Ski Trophy Hall of Fame was inaugurated this morning in the Saslong Hut. The trophies for those who win the most points during the South Tyrol World Cup races, in Val Gardena/Gröden and Alta Badia, will be displayed here.

Anecdotes, part 2: Bernhard Russi and Hans Knauss

Bernhard Russi: Coat too small for the award ceremony

“In 1970 I surprisingly became the downhill World Champion. The whole media hype was pure chaos, the traffic in town had collapsed and my personal caregiver had lost sight of me.

Anecdotes, part 1: Peter Fill and Franz Klammer

Peter Fill: With wrong material to the finish

“Due to adverse weather conditions, the downhill start at the 2005 World Cup race in Val Gardena/Gröden had to be lowered to the super-G start.

Saslong.org is full of emotions?

The website of the World Cup Val Gardena/Gröden www.saslong.org has undergone a major overhaul and given a new image. The work was done by the local company Gardena.Net with the goal to compress the content and make the site more user-friendly. 

FIS confirms Races in Val Gardena/Gröden

Luckily, this is a pure formality this year: In today's snow control, the FIS has confirmed the World Cup races on the Saslong. Friday, December 15th, is the Super-G followed by the Downhill the day after.

Andrea Ballerin wins FIS Giant Slalom

Today the fourth FIS race of the Raiffeisen Grand Prix series, a giant slalom, was held in Plan de Gralba near Selva/Wolkenstein. The Italian Andrea Ballerin prevailed in 2.43:38 minutes ahead of the two Swiss Lars Rösti (+0.22) and Marco Gämperle (+0.53).

Double victory by Slaven Dujakovic

The Austrian Slaven Dujakovic prevailed in both Super Gs, which took place today in Plan de Gralba, Selva/Wolkenstein. They were two of a total of four Raiffeisen Grand Prix FIS races that are being hosted this weekend in Val Gardena/Gröden.

Switzerland dominates FIS Downhill

The Raiffeisen Grand Prix downhill ended with a Swiss double victory in Plan de Gralba, Selva today. On the Piz Sella slope, Marco Kohler from Meiringen near Bern clocked the fastet time with 1:34.36 ahead of his compatriot Lars Rösti (+0.19) and the Italian Davide Cazzaniga (+0.29).

Everything’s Ready for Saslong 2017

It‘s all systems go: In just over three weeks, the ski world will have all eyes on South Tyrol when the Ski World Cup is coming to Val Gardena/Gröden. A Super-G is on the docket for Friday, December 15th followed by the classic Downhill on the Saslong the next day. But wait, there is more: Val Gardena/Gröden is also celebrating its 50th anniversary of the Alpine Skiing World Cup with a big TV show.

Become a Supporting Member of the World Cup Val Gardena/Gröden

There is a new opportunity to experience and support the Ski World Cup races in Val Gardena/Gröden in occasion of the 50th anniversary. Supporting members can underscore the importance of the races in Val Gardena/Gröden by making a financial contribution and thereby participating in unique offers.

Camel humps Forst Village

Get excited by the world's best skiers jumping more than 80 meters right next to the Camel Humps, the most spectacular section of the Saslong track. No other spot conveys the impressive speed of the track and the unique emotions triggered by it. The Camel Hump First Village will cater to you with its local delicacies in addition to a glass of FORST beer, games and other surprises.

Val Gardena/Gröden Celebrates its 50th World Cup

Val Gardena/Gröden will host the FIS Ski World Cup for the 50th time this December. The anniversary celebrations already started more than three months before. World Cup racers and race organizers of different generations as well as numerous ski fans relieved the memories of the last half century.

Anniversary Celebration on Saturday in St. Christina

For the fiftieth time, the World Cup ski race will be held on the Saslong this December. This is a good reason to celebrate for Val Gardena/Gröden next Saturday, September 2nd in St. Christina. Peter Fill and the Italian national downhill team will be there as will be two camels.

Anniversary Celebration on Sept 2: The Whole Valley is Celebrating

On September 2, St. Christina will be the venue for the anniversary celebration of the 50th Ski World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden. The entire valley is coming together to look back at the last half century.

Secure your Anniversary Ticket

On September 2, the anniversary celebration will begin in St.Christina and on December 15 and 16 it will be time to celebrate the anniversary race on the Saslong. Tickets for the Super-G and the Downhill are available now.