Industry News
After two failed attempts to stage the FIS Alpine World Cup’s first-ever cross-border race at the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, starting in Switzerland and finishing in Italy, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (‘FIS’) together with the Local Organization Committee (‘LOC’) has decided to take the race off the racing calendar for the 24/25 ski season.
- Related: Warm Temperatures Put First-Ever FIS World Cup Cross-Border Race in Switzerland and Italy at Risk
On Sunday, March 24, officials by the Swiss Ski Association, Swiss Ski, and the Italian Ski Association, FISI, shared a joint, public statement announcing that plans for the cross-border race had been shelved. In the joint press release, it is stated that this decision was made after a “thorough consultation with the athletes, their teams, and other stakeholders involved in the event.” The three federations will use the next few months to find possible ways and solutions for future World Cup races in Zermatt, Switzerland, and Cervinia, Italy.
The race was canceled in 22/23 due to a lack of snow in the finish area on the Italian snow and in 23/24 it was canceled due to inclement weather. Of the eight planned races — two women’s Downhill races and two men’s Downhill races across two seasons — not a single one took place. In addition, there were huge discussions this season about digging on the glacier, as pictures of heavy equipment on the Theodul Glacier spread across social media and digital news outlets.
Franz Julen, the head of the LOC, was disappointed, “It’s a pity, but I expected the decision.” The cross-border race cancellation was the cornerstone of many discussions around the viability and environmental impact of the FIS Alpine races and the race schedule. There were suggestions to hold the race at a later stage in the race calendar but Julen points out that this is not possible due to the resort and hotels not having any availability later in the season and the mountain ops team being busy preparing 360 kilometers (225 miles) of groomed runs for paying guests every day.
The FIS, Swiss-Ski, the FISI, and the LOC have signed a contract up until and including 26/27, guaranteeing four speed races in Zermatt-Cervinia each season at the end of October or in November. It is unclear what the consequences will be of this cancellation and the resulting breach of contract by FIS.
