Press releases
⇨ 15.12.2011THE DATE IS SET FOR SUNDAY 18TH AND MONDAY 19TH DECEMBER
THE DATE IS SET FOR SUNDAY 18TH AND MONDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2011
The men’s giant slalom on 18th December 2011 will open the two-day Alpine Ski World Cup on the Gran Risa slope in Alta Badia.The men’s special slalom will take place on Monday 19th December 2011.The famous pianist, Gerda Seebacher, dedicates a song to the Gran Risa.
ALTA BADIA – On Sunday 18th December 2011 the prestigious resort of Alta Badia in the heart of the Dolomites of South Tyrol will host the 26th Alpine Ski World Cup races on the Gran Risa slope in La Villa, where the traditional men’s giant slalom will be fought out.Both this race and the special slalom race were confirmed at the FIS annual conference, held in Zurich at the start of October.This second men’s race will be held on Monday 19th December - again on the Gran Risa slope.
The Organising Committee, headed by Marcello Varallo, is currently working non-stop to put together the event which will be filmed and broadcast by the mass media in over 50 nations. This demonstrates the importance of the event for a resort such as South Tyrol, in terms of image and publicity.
During the long-established conference in Zurich, which takes place each year prior to the start of the Alpine Ski World Cup season, it was confirmed that the traditional men’s giant slalom would take place on the Gran Risa slope until 2016. “Alta Badia has taken its place, once again, among the classics.For us this is a big reason to be proud.We can therefore look confidently towards the future with the hope that the special slalom will also be allocated to us again”, Marcello Varallo surmised upon returning to Alta Badia.
NEW FOR 2011/12: A SONG FOR THE GRAN RISA
The song written in honour of the Gran Risa - the most technically-challenging and spectacular piste in the entire Alpine Ski World Cup - will be presented by the famous pianist Gerda Seebacher during the press conference scheduled to take place in Innsbruck on 1st December 2011. During the competition days in Alta Badia, the song will be aired, played and sung by the composer in person, inside the “Casa SÃœDTIROL” gourmet area.
THE GOURMET AREA “CASA SÃœDTIROL”
The “Casa SÃœDTIROL” gourmet area will also be available once more.You will be able to watch this prestigious sporting event on the terrace next to the finish line and sample “Dolomitici” dishes (Norbert Niederkofler – Ristorante St.Hubertus, 2 Michelin stars, Arturo Spicocchi, Ristorante La Stüa de Michil, 1 Michelin star, Fabio Cucchelli, Ristorante La Siriola, 1 Michelin star), prepared with typical products of South Tyrol.The area is set up in collaboration with EOS (Export Organisation South Tyrol).
Information and bookings:www.skiworldcup.it – +39 0471 830161
NON-STOP EFFICIENCY TO GUARANTEE A FLAWLESS EVENT
The World Cup office, with Stefanie Nagler as secretary, continuously throbs with activity for 12 months of the year.Preparations for the next World Cup begin the day after the races that have just taken place and intensify in the final months leading up to the race – a period in which Stefanie Nagler is joined by Christian Dorigo for a third year.The organisational body is chaired by Marcello Varallo, alongside the management board which is made up of engineer Sergio Tiezza, lawyer Silvio Belardi, who looks after the legal side of the event, Ludwig Comploj, who deals with the financial side, and Andy Varallo, who efficiently deals with the best snowmaking systems and fringe events.
In the weeks leading up to the races the management board is joined by over 1000 volunteers in various roles to ensure the absolute success of this big international event.To this end, Marcello Varallo wishes to thank all of the invaluable collaborators.“Above all I would like to thank on behalf of the Organisational Committee all the bodies and people that believe in this important project and that help us to spread the good name of Alta Badia and skiing at a provincial, national and international level. These people have been making themselves available year after year for a good 26 years in a row to organise a truly flawless event”.
⇨ 10.10.2011Club5+ - workshop in Adelboden
By Gernot Mussner
The 15 classic World Cup Organizers which make up the Club5+ held their annual October Workshop in Adelboden, Switzerland, with the theme of safety, medical services, accreditation and logistics.
Joining this meeting were FIS race directors Günther Hujara, Atle Skardaal, Hans Pieren and Mike Kertesz for discussions between the Club5 organizers and the International Ski Federation on matters of mutual interest.
“Our safety installations are done to the highest possible level available at this time”, said Club5 president Srecko Medven. “Our work, together with the FIS, the companies and technicians means that safety standards and technical knowledge are constantly improving to allow us to prepare the race courses on the highest safety level for the athelets”, said Medven.
Also medical services were discussed in depth in Adelboden. The Organizers found that their organization and function of medical services were of similar high standard with only some differences between speed and technical races.
The discussion about accreditation services included case studies to improve and simplify accreditation production and speed up the process and procedures.
On the program was a visit to the “Chuenisbergli” in Adelboden, where each January is held one of the most spectacular giant slaloms in the world. The visit was guided by home race chief Hans Pieren.
The workshop took place for the seventh time after previous meetings in Kitzbühel, Kranjska Gora, Venice, Wengen , Kitzbühel, Annecy – Talloires and now Adelboden.
Club 5 was founded in 1986. Today the members of this prestigious group of World Cup Organizers are: Kitzbühel, Wengen, Garmisch, Val d’Isère, Val Gardena Gröden, Alta Badia, Cortina, Kranjska Gora, Maribor, Lake Louise, Schladming, Adelboden Kvitfjell, St.Moritz and Are. The goal of Club5 is to bring the quality of the alpine ski sport to the highest levels possible.
⇨ 19.10.2010Audi FIS Skiworldcup 2011 Alta Badia
The arrival area will have a new stadium structure with a 30 m wide bridge.
During the Zurich conference the Italian Ski Federation assigned the National Team Event for 2012 and 2013 to Alta Badia
ALTA BADIA – The prestigious ski resort in the heart of the Alto Adige Dolomites will welcome the 25th Alpine Ski World Cup championships on Sunday 19th December 2010, on the Gran Risa slope in La Villa, with the traditional men's giant slalom. The Organising Committee, led by Marcello Varallo, is working non-stop on the event, which will be televised and reported by the media in over 50 countries, to reach 189 million viewers. This proves how important the event is in terms of image and publicity for an area like Alto Adige.
In order to meet the well known financial requests by the FISI -Italian Federation of Winter Sports, the Organising Committee will be principally supported by the municipalities of Alta Badia, who have decided to pay 50% of the deficit, while the Alta Badia Tourism Consortium has increased its contribution. This means that the Organising Committee can work, as it has always done, in the best possible way and can also plan for the future with renewed optimism.
TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENTS ON THE Gran Risa. THE NEW STADIUM-LIKE ARRIVAL AREA, THANKS TO THE BUILDING OF A BRIDGE
Work on the new bridge, which began in Spring and which will lead skiers to the arrival area, has almost finished. This is a 30-metre wide bridge that conforms to Italian Ski Federation regulations. It is an important new addition to this year’s competition and to future events. The arrival area, which will thus resemble a stadium, has an increased spectator capacity, as there is space for more stands. This will also provide increased proceeds from sponsors and television rights. The construction of the new bridge and the improvements to the arrival area complete the infrastructures for the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia, which becomes a model to follow and can compete with the best organisers on the whole Winter Sports circuit.
Also, this year Skicarosello, the company that manages the mountain ski facilities (led by Andy Varallo, company president and assistant director of the Organising Committee) has completed the artificial snow system. Slopes can therefore be covered with snow earlier and more rapidly. A perfect course is planned for the Gran Risa slope and the Bamby 2 slope, which will be finished by mid-November, in order to host the most important teams in training for technical disciplines, before the US competitions.
With this work the committee, led by Marcello Varallo, can rest assured that there is guaranteed snow and safety, as well as international recognition.
25 YEARS OF THE ALTA BADIA SKI WORLD CUP
The Alta Badia Ski World Cup celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. This demonstrates the well-deserved trust that has always been placed in this famous Alto Adige resort, thanks to its excellent organisation of the World Cup competitions that have been assigned to it.
The 15th December 1985 saw the first men's World Cup giant slalom on the Gran Risa slope. Marcello Varallo, current president of the Organising Committee, managed to achieve his dream by bringing a Ski World Cup competition to his home in Alta Badia. The competition was won that day by Alpine ski legend Ingemar Stenmark, followed by the Austrian Hubert Strolz and by local champion Roberto Erlacher.
Celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia will take place at Club Moritzino Refuge, with the traditional dinner before the competition. Also, as part of the Ski World Cup, bars, pubs and other businesses in Alta Badia will organise a range of 25th anniversary celebrations. Between one run and another there will also be displays by the Frecce Tricolori National Aerobatic Team who will fly over Alta Badia at exactly midday to greet spectators and numerous local fans.
The “Casa SÃœDTIROL” gourmet area will also bring a special touch to this important anniversary. The public can take part in this sports event par excellence on the terrace next to the finish line and enjoy dishes by the “Dolomitici”, prepared with typical Alto Adige-Südtirol products, in partnership with EOS (the Alto Adige Export Organisation). Places are limited. A ticket to enter the most exclusive area can be purchased at € 140.00 per person from the organising office: www.skiworldcup.it – +39 (0)471 830161.
ALTA BADIA ASSIGNED THE NATIONAL TEAM EVENT FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS
The usual conference before the start of the Alpine Ski World Cup recently took place in Zurich. This was attended by representatives from all the ski resorts that will host competitions. At the conference the Italian Ski Federation declared that the National Team Event will be hosted by Alta Badia in 2012 and 2013. The traditional men’s giant slalom has also been confirmed for future years on the last Sunday before Christmas.
NON-STOP ACTIVITY TO GUARANTEE AN IMPECCABLE EVENT
Secretary Stefanie Nagler’s World Cup Office is a non-stop hive of activity all year round. Preparations for the next edition start the day after the final competition and intensify in the months before the competition, a period in which Stefanie Nagler will be aided for the second year running by Christian Dorigo. The organising committee is led by Marcello Varallo, assisted by a board of event directors made up of engineer Sergio Tiezza, who supervised the building of the new bridge, lawyer Silvio Belardi, who will be responsible for the legal aspect of the event, Ludwig Comploj, responsible for funding and Andy Varallo who is particularly responsible for improvements in the artificial snow system and associated events.
The board of event directors is joined in the last weeks before the competition by over 1000 volunteers in various roles, to guarantee that this important international event is a complete success. Marcello Varallo would like to thank all of his valuable assistants: “First, on behalf of the Organising Committee, I would like to thank all those institutions and people who have believed in this important project, who help us promote a positive image of Alta Badia and skiing at a provincial, national and international level and who have helped, for 25 years running, organise a truly impeccable event”.
Spectator tickets can be purchased online at www.skiworldcup.it.
⇨ 04.12.2009Press Conference in Innsbruck
The Austria Press Agency (APA) called it a “successful” press conference describing the event in a lengthy article (as compared to ANSA from Italy). APA’s main focus was the current disagreement between the Italian Winter Sport Federation FISI and the Italian World Cup event organizers demonstrating yet again a deep knowledge on what is happening in the world if skiing.
The article was shared with all major European news agencies with the heading “South Tyrol in a clinch with the South Tyrolean Ski Federation”. APA quoted Stefania Demetz, General Director/CEO of the OC in Gardena-Gröden as well as Marcello Varallo, President of Alta Badia. Excerpts from the article are as follows: Ski President of Alta Badia Marcello Varallo states “Up to 2010 we’re ok, but we have no idea what will happen after that” despite all speed events on the Saslong in Gardena-Gröden and technical events on the Gran Risa in Alta Badia are set on the FIS Calendar that extends to 2014. “We are quarreling with FISI and don’t know how we will be able to finance the races starting in 2011.”
FISI’s President Gianni Morzenti claims all TV revenues belong to the Federation “This means that we’d lose 35% of our revenues in one fell swoop.” says Mr. Varallo. “That is so significant that it puts our races in jeopardy” adds Stefania Demetz who is General Director/CEO of the Ski Club in Gardena-Gröden which needs €2 million for this year’s races as compared to Alta Badia’s €1.6 million.”
The World Cup venues located in Eastern Italy including Gardena-Gröden, Alta Badia, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Tarvis and also Val Di Fiemme (Nordic Ski) have proposed a compromise whereby 35% of the TV revenues (compared to the current 30%) will be given to the FISI with the balance remaining with the host. This proposal has not even been considered for discussion.
Mr. Varallo threatens Mr. Morzeni to nominate a rival candidate for the upcoming election for the Federation. “It is easier for Sestriere, they have a large conglomerate supporting them (note: FIAT) and won’t suffer if they fall short by €500,000.“ explains Mr. Varallo.
All this confirms that the concerns of Gardena-Gröden and Alta Badia who both belong to the Club 5+ association bringing together 13 of the largest and most venerable World Cup hosts worldwide, are heard and followed also outside Italy.
⇨ 27.11.2009Ski World Cup Gardena and Alta Badia presented today
The two World Cup venues will hold a total of four races between December 18th and 21st: Super-G and Downhill on the Saslong and Giant Slalom and Slalom on the Gran Risa. Two further Downhill training runs are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. The prize money for the races is set at €304,000. 2000 individuals will be in action during the week of the races. Fifteen TV stations are planning to broadcast live on the four World Cup races with dozen additional TV stations reporting on the events on a time-delayed basis. And more than 300 journalists are expected in the two Ladin-speaking valleys.
The entertainment program is also packed with sophisticated events. For instance, the orchestra “Sonoton” will perform at the award ceremony and bib draw in Gardena and spectacular fireworks will be displayed in Alta Badia along with the usual appearance of the “Frecce Tricolori” buzzing through the valley on the first day of the race. Furthermore, the “Haus Südtirol” will feature 3-star chefs from Alta Badia and the VIP Hospitality will provide the culinary highlights in Gardena-Gröden.
⇨ 16.11.2009MICHELIN STAR SLALOM ON GRAN RISA
Grand Gourmet for the white circus cup with the most Michelin stars
The Ski World Cup dates in Alta Badia are offering a tasty new feature. The Gran Risa, which experts consider one of the best runs in the Alps is going to be joined by a gastronomic occasion with the most Michelin stars in the Alps. The new Cup headquarters, next to the finish, will in fact be hosting “Haus Südtirol”, a gourmet cuisine area under the guidance of the “Dolomitici”, the 3 Michelin-starred chefs of Alta Badia: Norbert Niederkofler (2 stars) from the St. Hubertus in Rosa Alpina, Claudio Melis from La Siriola in Ciasa Salares and Arturo Spicocchi from the Stüa de Michil at La Perla. In fact, from this year, it will be possible to watch the event from the terrace overlooking the finish, while savouring the exquisite Michelin-starred dishes prepared using local produce from South Tyrol, sourced in collaboration with the EOS, the chamber of commerce agency for exporting original produce from South Tyrol. Entry, including a seat costs 105.00 euro per day. To book, visit www.skiworldcup.it
But another succulent new element awaits visitors to Alta Badia. Throughout the winter season, there will be “Skiing with taste”, with different produce from South Tyrol and different gourmet proposals. A dish developed by one of the Michelin-starred chefs of South Tyrol will be prepared in each of 11 chalets on the pistes throughout the winter season. Another prestigious event not to be missed by lovers of fine food is the Chef’s Cup Südtirol, a food and wine event taking place in Alta Badia from 17 to 19 January 2010. Now in its fourth edition, this event, which is the brainchild of Norbert Niederkofler, in conjunction with two other “Dolomitici” chefs, will see more than 100 of the best international chefs and wine growers for a combination of haute cuisine, sport, fun and solidarity. And for those who want to ski on the peaks lit up by the sun’s first rays while savouring the total silence, there is breakfast at 2,000 metres at the Col Alto refuge, entirely based on healthy local produce – www.altabadia.org
A sporting event with a host of other events - a long weekend of fun
The organisers of the Ski World Cup have prepared a programme of events to accompany the World Cup dates. It all starts on Saturday afternoon at 7:00 p.m., when the bibs are drawn. In attendance, the championship’s top 15 athletes, who will be available to meet fans and sign autographs. The ceremony will also feature an exhibition from the Ladinia Ski Club, plus music by a dj and a fireworks display. The evening will continue with a “World Cup Party” in the frame tent at the foot of Gran Risa, together with “Torpedos New Generation”. And to finish the evening, everyone at the World Cup Lounge Party Toccami.
Sunday morning, competition day, will see an exhibition from the athletes of the Ladinia Ski Club at 9:00 a.m., followed by paragliding and hang gliding displays. The interval between the first and second heats will see the long-awaited return of the traditional fly over by the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force aerobatic demonstration team, and parachutists. This will be accompanied by concerts from the Fanfare of Alpine Troops, while inside the heated tent, there will be gastronomic delights, rivers of beer and lots of music and fun until the evening. On Monday: the Ski World Cup Breakfast in the arrival area, a show by the Ladinia Ski Club and entertainment by the group “Partyexpress”.
Tel. +39/0471/830161- E-mail: info@skiworldcup.it www.skiworldcup.it
Press Office Pizzinini Scolari ComunicAzione
Christian Pizzinini -mob. +39/338/8543309
www.pizzininiscolari.com – E-mail: christian.pizzinini@pizzininiscolari.com
⇨ 06.08.2009FIS SKI WORLD CUP IN ALTA BADIA
Two dates in Alta Badia: Sunday 20th December, for the traditional men’s giant slalom, now in its 24th year, won last year by Switzerland’s Daniel Albrecht, followed by Ivica Kostelic of Croatia and Hannes Reichelt of Austria. Monday 21st December is the turn of the slalom, on Gran Risa for the fourth time.
Technical improvements to the Gran Risa
The course of champions has been improved in different ways over the last few years, including the addition of two humps to improve the inclines in the final section of the run and fibre optic wiring from top to bottom to supply quick, perfect connections for TV broadcasts. This season too, there is an important new feature: Skicarosello, the company managing the lifts in the area, has increased the number of snowmakers to prepare the pistes earlier and more quickly. Andy Varallo, Company Chairman and Deputy Race Director for Alta Badia, explains, “Until last winter, Gran Risa had one of the earliest snowmakers in the valley, dating back to 1984. With the new expansion works over the last few weeks, it is now possible to cover the whole route, capillary fashion, as far as the top part of the stretch. Next year will see the works completed, meaning that we will also be renewing the top end. We have also managed to equip the final section of the humps with a new snowmaking line that wasn’t there before, which means we can prepare the snow covering more quickly for world cup events. We have replaced the 90 cm pipes with 150 cm ones. We have also replaced the pumping station with one built along the lines of the station at the foot of the Altin piste, so as to supply 19 new outlets installed along the slope, pumping at higher speeds for a notable reduction in coverage times. Generally speaking, I can say that with all these works, which together with those planned for next year, estimated at some 800,000.00 Euros, the Piz La Ila area is ready to be autonomous and prepared within a very short space of time. This is also due to the fact that we need to meet our new policy of opening early for the winter season, which we will be doing on 21st November, together with the promotional tourist event, Winter Warm Up. To conclude, with this new system we have been able to speed up the preparation of competition slopes enormously as well as to make things easier for the “Balken di Steinbach” teams, from the province’s forestry corps as well as for our ski instructors and alpine corps, who are all involved in the fine tuning. With these interventions, the committee, under the guidance of Marcello Varallo, can sleep soundly because as well as the guaranteed certainty of snow, we are now also guaranteed recognition at international levels.
ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP ALTA BADIA – ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Tel. 0471/830161- E-mail: info@skiworldcup.it www.skiworldcup.it
Press Office Pizzinini Scolari ComunicAzione – Christian Pizzinini
E-mail:christian.pizzinini@pizzininiscolari.com – Cell. 338/8543309
⇨ 27.05.2009Great skiing is back
This important location in South Tyrol will once again be hosting two World Cup skiing events on the Gran Risa at La Villa, the course of champions, which has been improved in different ways over the last few years, including the addition of two humps to improve the inclines in the final section of the run and fibre optic wiring from top to bottom to supply quick, perfect connections for TV broadcasts. In short, this is a top-class facility, to which we can add the area of the plateau and the building housing the headquarters of the Committee, chaired by Marcello Varallo, tireless promoter of this international event, who with his enthusiasm and tenaciousness has taken Alta Badia into the elite of Alpine ski resorts. During the competition period, the main headquarters, located in front of the finishing line, host the TV moderation stations, the first aid rooms and the anti-doping area as well as logistics: there is also a gourmet lounge with panoramic views for VIP guests.
There will be two official World Cup events in Alta Badia in December 2009. On Sunday 20 it will be the turn of the traditional giant slalom, now in its 24th year. On last year’s podium last year were Swiss skier Daniel Albrecht, followed by Croatian Ivica Kostelic and Austrian Hannes Reichelt. Monday 21 December is the turn of the Men’s Slalom, in its fourth year on the Gran Risa. At the last edition, finishing on the podium were Croatian, Ivica Kostelic (1st), Frenchman Jean Baptiste Grange (2nd) and Austrian, Benjamin Raich (3rd).
Press accreditations will again be available on the occasion of the competitions in Val Gardena. The general public will be able to purchase tickets as from 1 September 2009.
Fun and sport during the World Cup Weekend.
The long weekend in Alta Badia promises an exclusive programme of events, with sport, advent traditions, shows and air shows. All fans will have the chance to mix with the ski champions during the bib draw on Saturday evening or to be present directly at the Gran Risa finish line, amidst the Tyrolean celebrations, Ski World Cup Breakfast and music DJ in the heated tensile structure. Alpine Ski World Cup Alta Badia - www.skiworldcup.it
⇨ 22.12.2008Ivica Kostelic turns Alta Badia into a memorable World Cup weekend
Great results also for the Italian team with three skiers placing in the top ten. Giorgio Rocca (33) delivered an exceptional second run, particularly in the lower part of the course finishing fourth overall. The day’s success was culminated by local favorite Manfred Mölgg’s fifth place and Patrick Thaler’s sixth place which was made more impressive by the fact that he was trailing the lead on the 13th spot at the end of the first run.
⇨ 22.12.2008A collector’s bottle for Alta Badia
On December 21st, 2008 the charm of Alta Badia will join with the excellence of Altamarca Trevigiana: Bisol is once again the main sponsor of the 2008 Ski World Cup on the Gran Risa which is one of the most picturesque courses of the White Circuit.
The majestic mountain tops of the Dolomites welcome the territorial quality as defined by Bisol who is providing the Cru of Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOC, an exclusive line underscoring the uniqueness and the character of the exceptionally well-qualified mountainous micro area in Valdobbiadene.
Bisol, a wine grower in Valdobbiadene dating back to 1542, has always invested its resources and energies into the quality of its origin, creating a strong and determining bond with the territory as its key strength enhancing the value of the prestigious Denominazione dell’Altamarca Trevigiana, i.e., the mark guaranteeing the quality and provenance of the wine from the Trevigiana region.
“It is a great honor for Bisol to partner with the Ski World Cup on the Gran Risa, which is without a doubt one of the most spectacular courses in the world” says Gianluca Bisol, General Manager of the legendary company domiciled in S.Stefano di Valdobbiadene.
Bisol has designed an exclusive bottle, a limited edition of CREDE Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOC Brut 2007 to celebrate this prestigious moment. The selection is limited to 6000 bottles, true collection pieces for the passionate: the CREDE Bristol will be used for the award ceremony and, furthermore, it will be there to celebrate all the important moments of the World Cup 2007 in Alta Badia.
Marcello Varallo, President of the Organizing Committee has effectively called the Ski World Cup Alta Badia “a unique show in the world”: and its exclusivity, passion and emotion are perfectly matched by the territorial quality by Bisol.
⇨ 22.12.2008Additional World Cup race in Alta Badia on Monday
The Organizing Committee in Alta Badia confirmed its availability to host the cancelled race when approached by the FIS. The official confirmation of the transfer of the race to Alta Badia appeared on the FIS internet site (www.fis-ski.com) on December 15th, 2008.
The slalom on the “Gran Risa” course will take place on Monday, December 22nd, 2008 with start of the first run at 10:00 am and the second at 1:00 pm. Entry to the stands and along the course will be free of charge.
⇨ 21.12.2008Daniel Albrecht from Switzerland wins the Giant Slalom in Alta Badia
Massimiliano Blardone placed best among the Italian team after a less-than perfect second run placing 8th overall. Among the other Italians, Peter Fill ended on spot 16th and local favorite Manfred Mölgg on spot 18th.
⇨ 01.12.2008Alta Badia giant slalom
After its strong start in 1985 after the comeback victory of Sweden’s superstar Ingemar Stenmark, the Alta Badia giant slalom was rapidly a prestigious race to win and to watch because of its treacherous and spectacular ‘Gran Risa’ course, its excited crowd of thousands of happy fans and the warm welcome of the local community. Alberto Tomba’s early success in 1986 when he reached his first World Cup podium there finishing 2nd behind Richard Pramotton and his first triumph a year later created a huge interest among Italian ski journalists who all gathered there in great numbers from all parts from the country.
The international press which reported for years on the traditional downhill race in nearby Val Gardena was happy to reach the resort after only a short ride over the wonderful Gardenapass. The press officers from Val Gardena took great care of the media in the large press room situated in the school building at ‘La Ila’, only a few minutes drive away from the arrival.
Our friend Josef ‘Pepi’ Aussersdorfer and his successor Franz Sinn managed to create the same cosy atmosphere in that new place as in Val Gardena, welcoming the journalists with their huge smile and a nice gift from the organizing committee. There was always something good to eat or drink in the cafeteria situated at the entrance of the school-house. That warm tradition was resumed by the following staff managed by Christian Pizzinini.
Two years ago, the press centre was moved in a newly constructed location which also includes a large conference room and a comfortable lounge where everybody could relax. Reporters appreciate that kind of situation as well as thrilling events which create interesting stories and – of course - good restaurants. They were also happy to attend the gentle welcome party organized on Saturday evening in the big indoor tennis facility of the nearby resort of Corvara where many of them also staid.
All of them immediately felt the great spirit of happiness promoted by the organizers who wanted that everybody from the World Cup tour is having a great time during their stay in that beautiful valley. The entire weekend on both sides of the Gardenapass really turned into a superb highlight for the press.
Recently they were also impressed seeing the local committee improving some of its facilities with the friendly support of the province of South-Tyrol and building that impressive and elegant ‘club-house’ at the finish area. Guests and VIP’s can meet there now and have a great time. It was a smart move made by the organizing committee to reinforce the prestige and the position of Alta Badia among other big organizers after it also put together a slalom competition on the lower part of the slope.
The media was pleased to stay there for an extra day which allowed them to scout the area and find more about its resources.
When they return home after that weekend, the journalists are mostly pleased by their visit and many of them are already looking forward to get back there – maybe next summer, because the area is also so nice during the warmer and longer days of July and August. Why not!
PkL
⇨ 25.11.2008World Cup Skiing in Alta Badia: sport and entertainment
A warm welcome to Alto Adige/Südtirol on behalf of the Cup President
These words by Marcello Varallo: “First of all, in the name of the Organizing Committee I would like to thank all the institutions, the media, the sponsors and the people who believe in this important project and who help us to spread the good name of Alta Badia and skiing on a provincial, national and international level. The Organizing Committee, work all year round to realize the event, to always make it more attractive, professional and competitive. We do all this, in close contact with the International Federation, to whom we report constantly”.
Events within the event - a week rich full of entertainment
An events committee was instituted some years ago in Alta Badia, with the specific aim of coordinating and managing all the events and collateral events which rotate around the skiing competition on the Gran Risa. This year the programme is particularly rich. It begins on Saturday at 7 p.m. with the number extraction. The 15 best athletes will be present, available for autographs for their fans. The ceremony will be embellished by the Ladinia Ski Club. Saturday evening will continue with the “World Cup Party” in the tensile structure at the foot of the Gran Risa. The “Stars ‘n’ Stripes” band will play. Many premises in Alta Badia will offer theme evenings, from the underground Gran Risa Cup, to the Elvis Presley Tribute Night, to the Toccami Ski World Cup Party, all for maximum entertainment.
Sunday morning, competition day, at 9 a.m. the athletes from the Ladinia Ski Club will perform followed by paragliding and hang-gliding demonstrations. During the interval between the first and second runs, an awaited return of the traditional flyover by the National Acrobatic Patrol of the Three Colour Arrows and parachutists. As an accompaniment, the concerts of the bands of the Alpine Troops while in the heated marquee it will be possible to sample gastronomic specialities, rivers of beer and music from the “Partyexpress” entertainment until late evening.
Official Sponsor
