NEWS SEASON 2020/2021

SEVEN FIXED WORLD CUP PLACES FOR SWISS EUROPEAN CUP ATHLETES 

22.03.2021 - Norway’s Marte Monsen and Austria’s Maximilian Lahnsteiner took the overall ranking of the 2020/21 European Cup. The 21-year-old Scandinavian is the Slalom specialist, while the 24-year-old Austrian is more focused on speed. But the Swiss also shone brightly.

Ralph Weber (4^th) and Simone Wild (9^th) were the best Swiss skiers this year, in this antechamber to the World Cup. However, the most important thing to remember is that three women and four men have secured permanent places in the White Circus next winter by finishing in the top three. Jasmina Suter (25, 1^st in the Super-G ), Stephanie Jenal (23, 2^nd  in the Super-G), Simone Wild (27, 2^nd  in the Giant), Stefan Rogentin (26, 1^st in the Super-G), Ralph Weber (27, 2^nd in the Super-G), Semyel Bissig (23, 2^nd in the Giant) and Marc Rochat (28, 3^rd in the Slalom) have secured their places.

As all seven skiers are already in the world’s top 60, they will not be taking World Cup places from any Swiss skiers.  They are simply entitled to an extra place, on top of the Swiss quota in their discipline. This is rather good news.

This overall result is also much better than last year’s, when only Rahel Kopp (Downhill), Jasmina Suter (Super-G) and Semyel Bissig (Combined) achieved the same result. Walter Reusser, Swiss-Ski Alpine director, was very satisfied: "Having two additional places is extremely useful, especially in the Super-G, where we are very successful, and where there is not necessarily a place for young people. It gives us some breathing space and creates opportunities for the next generation."  

The European Cup, second only to the World Cup, included a total of 56 races this winter:  30 for the men, and 26 for the women. Of these, 13 were held in Switzerland (Zinal 8, Meiringen-Hasliberg 2, Melchsee-Frutt 2, Crans-Montana 1 (the second Downhill had to be cancelled due to too much fresh snow).

While the men’s programme was fairly balanced (6 Downhills, 7 Super-G, 8 Slaloms and 8 Giants and 1 Combined), the women’s calendar was more technically oriented, with only 3 Downhills and 4 Super-G, compared to 10 Giants and 9 Slaloms. "We noticed that there is less density in the technical disciplines in Switzerland ", continues Walter Reusser. "We’re working intensively on this. The goal is to have strong teams in all disciplines. This is the only way to have a chance of winning the Nations Cup.". 

In total, Switzerland celebrated ten European Cup victories thanks to Stephanie Jenal, Jasmine Flury, Jasmina Suter, Justin Murisier, Ralph Weber, Joel Lütolf, Lars Rösti, Josua Mettler, Semyel Bissig and Stefan Rogentin). Seven of these wins took place on Swiss pistes (6 in Zinal, 1 in Crans-Montana).  

According to Walter Reusser, Switzerland’s strength in the speed sector is direct linked to the efforts made in Swiss ski resorts, and he is very pleased about this: "It is very gratifying to have lots of European Cup races in Switzerland. This creates platforms for the next generation.  Crans-Montana, as the organiser of the World Cup, European Cup and a training partner, deserves a big thank you.  Swiss-Ski greatly appreciates the fact that Crans-Montana has organised European Cup races every year since it ventured into the domain of the World Cup again in 2008, like the European Cup finals in 2009, which were a great success."

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

Thanks to her victory in the European Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Jasmine Flury from the canton Grisons finished the season in fifth place in the discipline.

THE EUROPEAN CUP, GOOD FOR CONFIDENCE 

Some of the best skiers in the world were already in Crans-Montana this weekend to compete in the European Cup races. A good opportunity to get their bearings before next weekend’s World Cup races. A meeting with Jasmine Flury, Kajsa Vickhoff Lie and Joana Hählen, who have been building their confidence on the Mont Lachaux piste.

Video (in French only): SkiActu

TOO MUCH SNOW AND THE 2^ND DOWNHILL IS CANCELLED  

Despite the hard work by all those involved in preparing the pistes, the second downhill in the women’s European Cup in Crans-Montana on Sunday has to be cancelled. Depending on the areas, there has been over 60cm of snow overnight between Saturday and Sunday, and more snowfall is expected in the morning, making it impossible to hold a race.

However despite the difficult weather conditions over the past few days, the Organising Committee still views this European Cup event positively. A great effort was made to offer athletes a long-awaited speed race on Saturday in the first European Cup downhill of the winter, which was won by Jasmine Flury. The Organising Committee was also able to come to an excellent conclusion about the strict measures to be applied within the framework of the Covid-19 protection protocol, in view of the three World Cup races that will take place between 22 and 24 January. 

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

 

THE WOMEN’S CLASSIC IN SIGHT

17.01.2021 - The Crans-Montana World Cup Organising Committee receives a degree of recognition from the International Ski Federation (FIS) and from Swiss-Ski by organising the European Cup races each year, which are extremely important for promoting young talent. At the same time, these races are an excellent dress rehearsal for the World Cup races which take place the following week. This year, the European Cup races are also a full-scale test for the implementation of Covid-19 protection measures required for the three World Cup races. Last photo: Spaniard Jordi Pujol, FIS Women’s European Cup coordinator, and Marius Robyr, president of the Crans-Montana European and World Cup Organising Committee, both currently under great pressure. Photos taken by Hervé Deprez, the Organising Committee’s official photographer.

JASMINE FLURY AND NOÉMIE KOLLY’S REACTIONS

16.01.22021 - Both took podium places in the first European Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, and Jasmine Flury and Noémie Kolly had smiles on their faces in the finish stadium. Their reaction, a few minutes after a race that, in the end, took place in excellent conditions on the Mont Lachaux piste.

Video (in German and French): SkiActu

JASMINE FLURY AND NOÉMIE KOLLY SHINE AT HOME

16.01.2021 - Jasmine Flury won the first of two European Cup downhills in Crans-Montana on Saturday. The skier from the Grisons, who is used to Ski World Cup races (super-G victory in Saint-Moritz in 2017), dominated on the middle section of the Mont Lachaux piste. After 50 seconds of racing, the skier from Rinerhorn had an 0’’80 advantage over her closest opponent, the Austrian Lisa Grill, before losing almost all of her lead in the lower part of the course. But not enough to be overtaken by the European Cup leader. 

Behind her, another Swiss stood out. The Fribourg native Noémie Kolly took a European Cup podium place for the second time in her career, after a 3^rd place in 2017 in the Val di Fassa. Third once again,  0’’32 behind her compatriot, the skier from Gruyères had a close call with Laura Gauché’s number 42 bib. The French skier finally finished 4^th, 0’’5 behind Noémie Kolly in third place.

In the morning, fog affected the finish area. After managing to launch 19 competitors in the morning’s training, the organisers were forced to interrupt the session. All of the lower part of the piste was in fog. Although at one time it looked like it would be a question of shortening the downhill and doing two sprint heats, in the end everything was able to run according to the initial plan. Let’s hope that it will be the same for the second leg scheduled for Sunday. The technical team, led by Markus Murmann, race director and Patrice Morisod, piste director, deserves praise for their work and their flexibility.

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

The Podium: 1. Jasmine Flury/SUI. 2. Lisa Grill/AUT. 3. Noémie Kolly/SUI. 4. Laura Gauché/FRA. 5. Vanessa Nussbaumer/AUT

Jasmine Flury

Lisa Grill

Noémie Kolly

Yeah!

GO! THE EUROPEAN CUP LAUNCHES

16.01.2021 - Several Swiss skiers will be trying to dazzle on this Mont Lachaux piste during the two scheduled European Cup downhill races. On the eve of the races, Charlotte Chable met with Jasmina Suter, Noémie Kolly and Stephanie Jenal to discuss their form. You can find out here.

Video (in French/German only): SkiActu

THE MONT LACHAUX IN ITS SUNDAY BEST

15.01.2021 - Over 120 centimetres of snow have fallen in recent hours, making the preparation of the Mont-Lachaux piste, that is hosting two European Cup races this weekend and then the World Cup races next weekend, very complicated.

However it’s not enough to scare Patrice Morisod, the piste director for the Crans-Montana competitions. The team working on the piste, led by race director Markus Murmann and assisted by some 120 military personnel, is actively working on the course and doing everything possible to guarantee the safety of all athletes during the training and the races. Report.

Video (in French only): SkiActu

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana 

THE SNOW, A MAJOR CHALLENGE

14.01.2021 – The large amount of snow that has fallen in recent hours in Crans-Montana hasn’t made the task of preparing the Mont Lachaux piste easy. In fact the wintry landscape doesn’t just have advantages, since the fresh layer of snow has to be cleared in order for the women’s European Cup races to take place on the Haut Plateau. Not forgetting the Covid-19 pandemic, which has also created challenges for the organisers. An update with Marius Robyr, president of the Organising Committee, before the downhills on Saturday and Sunday.  

Video (in French only): SkiActu

NEW PROGRAMME

14.01.2021 - Decisions taken this morning by the jury and the Organising Committee:

The downhill training sessions on the programme this Thursday and tomorrow Friday are cancelled due to the weather conditions.

Saturday 16.01.
Training in the morning and first downhill in the afternoon (tbd)
The detailed programme will be decided this Thursday evening.

Sunday 17.01.
2^ndDownhill (tbd)

CRANS-MONTANA FOR THE FIRST WOMEN’S DOWNHILL RACE

10.01.2021 - Who could have imagined that the first downhill in the Women’s European Cup season would be taking place on Saturday 16 January in Crans-Montana? This will however be the case, as the Haut-Plateau resort is hosting two races in the discipline on 16 and 17 January, on the Mont Lachaux piste. Last winter the races were scheduled at the end of February, on the weekend before the World Cup. The Austrians Nadine Fest and Rosina Schneeberger won the downhill, whereas Switzerland’s Jasmina Suter took the super-G. These were the last speed events of the season, which was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This time, the health situation has "only" caused fans to be absent.

Austria and Switzerland have dominated the super-G so far

This season, the young speed specialists still don’t know exactly where they stand in the downhill. The European Cup athletes have been able to make a few observations. In the two Zinal super-Gs at the beginning of January (replacing Saint-Moritz),  the Swiss dominated initially in the first race (a double win, with Stephanie Jenal’s victory over Jasmina Suter; 6 Swiss in the top 10), before the Austrians took their revenge (a win for Lisa Grill in front of Christina Ager; 6 members of the "Wunderteam" in the top 10). Consequently, the teams from Switzerland and Austria dominate the rankings in the discipline. In the overall rankings, after the slalom weekend in Vaujany (FRA), Andreja Slokar, 23, is in the lead. The Slovenian has a 26 point lead over Lisa Grill. The best Swiss, Stephanie Jena, is 6^th with 150 points. Just behind, Camille Rast is in 8th place with 148 points. 

Rehersal for the three World Cup races

Lisa Grill, Stephanie Jenal and co will therefore tackle these downhills this weekend. One week later, the Mont Lachaux piste will host the traditional Women’s World Cup Classic, with two downhills and a super-G on the programme. For the European Cup, some 90 skiers from 17 nations are enrolled. Amongst them are some of the world’s best specialists, who prefer to come to Valais rather than take a break, while two World Cup giants are scheduled in Kranjska Gora. The list of entrants includes Breezy Johnson (USA), Kira Weidle (GER), Ilka Stuhec (SLO) and Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (NOR). It remains to be seen who will actually take part in the training and races.  The hopes of the Swiss team mainly lie with Stephanie Jenal, Jasmina Suter, Rahel Kopp and Noémie Kolly, whereas the winter is already over for the talented Juliana Suter and Luana Flütsch, who are injured.

Stephanie Jenal

Jasmina Suter

A PODIUM PLACE AND CONFIDENCE FOR CAMILLE RAST

10.1.2021 – The skier from Valais finished in third place in the European Cup slalom in Vaujany. She has been reassured, after just missing several World Cup qualifiers. 

A podium place, some good FIS points, and confidence. It wasn’t a wasted trip to Vaujany (FRA) for Camille Rast. In Isère, the skier from Vétroz managed three great European Cup races, proving if need be that her level of skiing really is there. Starting with the number 21 bib on Saturday, she had the 4^th fastest time in the first slalom race. She also managed the 3^rd fastest time in the second race, but ended up a respectable distance (1″86) from the winner, Sweden’s Elsa Fermbaeck, and the runner-up, Slovenia’s Andreja Slokar.

But in a tough race with huge gaps, Camille Rast managed above all to collect some decent FIS points, and hopes to get closer to those good start numbers in the World Cup. In the Mont-Frais stadium, Lorina Zelger took 17th place, while Selina Egloff and Valentine Macheret didn’t finish. In the second slalom on Sunday, Camille Rast took 5th fastest time on the first run, but didn’t finish on the second. Victory went to the Slovenian Andreja Slokar, the new leader in the European Cup overall rankings. Selina Egloff took 22^nd place, Nicole Good 24^th and Lorina Zelger 25^th.

A NICE PRESENT FOR DIONYS KIPPEL

6.01.2021 - The young Swiss are still going strong in the European Cup. After the Swiss women’s podium places in the Zinal super-G, it was the men’s turn to be in the spotlight in Val Cenis. In France, Dionys Kippel took 2^nd place in the slalom behind Great Britain’s Laurie Taylor, who beat him by 34 hundredths of a second. For the Valais skier, who was 4^th in Jaun last winter, this is his very first podium place at this level. The skier from Fiesch managed to give himself a wonderful birthday present on his 23^rd birthday.

There was a big disappointment for Noël von Grünigen from Bern. He recently took 2^nd place in the Crans-Montana exhibition slalom, but made a mistake in the second race, whereas he had the best time in the first run. In the absence of many of the athletes, who were competing in the World Cup in Zagreb, only Joel Lütolf managed to scrape into the top 15, taking 14^th place.

THE AUSTRIANS HAVE THEIR REVENGE

5.01.2021 - The day after the Swiss double win, this time two of the ski "Wunderteam" took the top two places in the second super-G in the European Cup in Zinal. Rahel Kopp came third.

No two days are the same in the Val d’Anniviers. The day after the excellent overall Swiss result, topped off by the double victory of Stephanie Jenal and Jasmina Suter, the Austrians shone in Zinal. For this second super-G in the Valais resort, which replaced the cancelled Saint-Moritz races, Lisa Grill, who was third on Monday, won this time, 0.34 ahead of her compatriot Christina Ager.

However all is not lost for the Swiss team, who once again ended up with a great result. Rahel Kopp completed the podium, while Stephanie Jenal was 4^th. As for Jasmina Suter, she finished in 6^th place. Fribourg’s Noémie Kolly, who is back on form after her serious injury last winter, finished on the threshold of the top 10, in 11^th place.

Although Nicole Good (16^th), Vivianne Härri (17^th) and Katja Grossmann (19^th) scored decent points, the day was more complicated for Juliana Suter, Luana Flütsch, Delia Durrer and Delphine Darbellay, who all exited the course.

SWISS DOUBLE IN ZINAL 

4.01.2021 - On home turf, the Swiss female skiers were defiant in the very first speed event of the European Cup season. Stephanie Jenal and Jasmina Suter scored a magnificent double in the first super-G in Zinal. The Grisons native, who has only once taken part in the World Cup, took her very first podium place in the anteroom to the elite competitions on the piste in the Anniviers Valley, just 0.02 seconds ahead of her compatriot. As for Jasmina Suter, she is forging onwards. The skier from Schwyz notably finished in 3rd position in the European Cup downhill rankings last winter. Third place went to Austria’s Lisa Grill.

The Swiss skiers had great success in Valais, since six of them finished in the top 10. Luana Flütsch (7th), Delia Durrer (8th), Rahel Kopp (9th) and Juliana Suter (10th) enjoyed tremendous results.  The Swiss-French are lying in wait. Fribourg’s Noémie Kolly took 19^th place, whereas the very young Delphine Darbellay (18), in only her 4th race at this level and her first in two years, was 20^th, with race number 53.

CAMILLE RAST BRILLE

21.12.2020 - Camille Rast has sealed her third podium place in the European Cup in Andalo. The 21-year-old skier from Vétroz was only beaten by the Norwegian Mina Fürst Holtmann. In Italy, the Valais skier was already in 3rd place on the first run. This was the 2019 Swiss champion in the discipline’s first podium place in the European Cup since her return after injury. In the Swiss camp, Simone Wild (Flumserberg) placed 11^th and Lorina Zelger /Gams) 29^th. The second race scheduled for Monday has been cancelled.

TWO TOP 10 PLACES FOR SIMONE WILD

17.12.2020 - In Hippach, Austria, Maryna Gasienica-Daniel has largely dominated the second stage of the Women’s European Cup, which stops off in Crans-Montana for two races on 16 and 17 January 2021.

The 26 year old Pole took the two giants on Wednesday 1"22 ahead of Austria’s Elisa Mörzinger and on Thursday 0"75 seconds ahead of Norway’s Maria Therese Tviberg. Simone Wild (Flumserberg), who was the best Swiss on both days, finished 10^th on the first day (1"75 behind) and 6^th on the second day (1"22 behind). Leana Barmettler (Engelberg), was 15th on Wednesday, and Camille Rast (Vétroz) and Viviane Härri (Giswil), who took 23^rd  and 29^th places on Thursday respectively, also obtained a few points.

The next European Cup races will take place in Andalo/ITA, where the 3^rd and 4^th giants of the season are scheduled.

THE WOMEN’S EUROPEAN CUP 2020/21 IS LAUNCHED

14.12.2020 - Finally, the women’s European Cup skiers were able to start their season. After cancellations in St.Moritz (too much snow) and Livigno (Covid-19), the first outing of the winter took place in  Ahrntal-Klausberg/ITA, with two slaloms. 

The first race, on Saturday 12 December, was won by 21 year old Italian Lara Della Mea, 37 hundredths ahead of Germany’s Jessica Hilzinger (23) and 40 ahead of her compatriot 21 year old Marta Rossetti. Sunday’s second race was taken by Czech Martina Dubrovska (28), who was 4th the previous day, with 16 hundredths advantage over Della Mea, and 31 ahead of Austria’s Marie-Thérèse Sporer (24).

The best Swiss skier was 19 year old Selina Egloff. The skier from Scuol placed 15th and 13th. Nidwalden’s Carole Bissig (24) also scored twice, finishing 25^th and 28^th. The competitions continue on 16/17 December with two giant slaloms in Hippach/AUT.

SPRINGBOARD TO THE WORLD CUP

11.12.2020 - The European Cup is an indispensable part of alpine ski racing. Hardly anyone has reached elite level without taking part in this second level of racing. But this is not just the case for the athletes involved. Organisers can also take advantage of the event to test their organisation and procedures – particularly important in the Covid-19 era – and make their mark.   

Covid-19 demands sacrifices

Holding European Cup races in Crans-Montana is a tradition. Wherever possible, the races are organised a week before the Women’s World Cup Classic. This season, two training sessions and two downhills are scheduled between 14 and 17 January.

We just need to hope that the conditions allow these races to take place. At the beginning of the season, the women skiers were very unlucky. In Saint-Moritz, the huge amount of snow made it impossible to hold the races. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the events in Livigno/ITA, Val di Fassa/ITA and Gstaad Saanenland/SUI have already been cancelled, on a calendar that included 17 legs.

The men have had better luck so far, and they have already been able to compete in five races in Gurgl/AUT and Zinal/SUI. There have been five different winners so far, the last was Cyprien Sarrazin/FRA in Zinal. In the first giant in Gurgl, Raphael Haaser/AUT took first place ahead of Stefan Luitz/GER. Julian Rauchfuss/GER won the following day, ahead of Haaser.

In Valais, the Swiss stood out in the first two races, with two victories and a total of five podium places. Weber won the super-G and Joel Lütolf took the combined. Nils Mani, Urs Kryenbühl and Crans-Montana skier Luca Aerni took excellent 3rd places. Justin Murisier proved his speed by winning the super-G in the combined race in the Val d’Anniviers.

Nina Ortlieb, the model

Although the women have to be patient, it is worth taking a look back at last winter. Nadine Fest/AUT (who won the downhill, super-G and combined) triumphed in the overall ranking, ahead of her compatriot Rosina Schneeberger. They will now have to consolidate in the World Cup, like Nina Ortlieb and Elisabeth Reisinger, who won in Crans-Montana in 2019 and 2020.

We can even say that it was in Valais that Nina Ortlieb really began to shine.  It is here that she celebrated her first World Cup podium in February 2020, finishing third behind Lara Gut-Behrami and Corinne Suter. One week later, she celebrated her first victory in the super-G at La Thuile/ITA.

The Swiss also did well in the European Cup last season: Rahel Kopp (3rd in the downhill ranking) and Jasmina Suter (3^rd in the super-G) obtained World Cup start places.

The European Cup is indeed a springboard !  

DEPREzphoto sa, cransmontana

Thanks to her 3rd place in the overall European Cup (downhill) ranking for 2019/20, the Swiss skier obtained her start place for the World Cup for the 2020/21 season.

news season 2019/20

Jasmina Suter dominates the Crans-Montana Super-G

16.02.2020 - Swiss victory on the Haut-Plateau on Sunday in the Super-G. Jasmina Suter managed to dominate the big Austrian favourites, claiming her first victory in the European Cup.  

After two downhills on the Mont Lachaux piste, the ladies competing in the European Cup competed against each other in the Super-G on Sunday. The presence of Tina Weirather didn’t upset the hierarchy. The Liechtenstein skier couldn’t keep pace, and had to abandon the race. Switzerland’s Jasmina Suter clinched the victory, her first in the European Cup. Already in third place in Saturday’s downhill, she confirmed that she felt very much at ease in Crans-Montana. «It wasn’t all perfect. But in the Super-G, if you don’t make any mistakes, it means that you’re not going very fast», adds Jasmina Suter. The Schwyz local won in 51’’57’’, beating Austria’s Nadine Fest by just four hundredths of a second. Rahel Kopp took the third podium place, 0’’44 behind.   

After the three races held in Crans-Montana, Nadine Fest ends up the overall winner in the Valais stage of the European Cup. After one victory and two second places, the Austrian strengthens her first place in the overall rankings of the European Cup, 244 points in front of her compatriot Rosina Schneeberger. She is also in the lead in both the Super-G and downhill rankings.

At the time of evaluating the event, Marius Robyr, president of the Crans-Montana World Cup and European Cup organisation committee, says he is very satisified:  «In running these races, we are working for the future of skiing. The girls learned a lot during their stay in Crans-Montana. And for us as organisers, it means we can also fine-tune details for the World Cup races next week. » The White Circus will once again be stopping off on the Haut-Plateau, with two downhills on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February, as well as an Alpine Combined on Sunday 23 February.

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

2020-02-16 SG

An Olympic champion visits Crans-Montana for the Women’s European Cup

Initially he should have been in China for the first Men’s World Cup races in Yanqing, which had to be cancelled due to Coronavirus. So Didier Défago made the most of some freetime for a short visit to the Haut-Plateau. The White Circus piste architect, in the service of the FIS, came to Crans-Montana to closely follow the second European Cup downhill on Saturday. The Valais resort had the pleasure of welcoming the skier from Morgins on the same day as he was celebrating the ten year anniversary of his Olympic title in the Vancouver Olympic Games. The friendly champion took the opportunity to mention the Crans-Montana/Valais 2025 bid for the World Championships with great enthusiasm.  
DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

Rosina Schneeberger cruises through

The Austrians dominated the second downhill in Crans-Montana. Switzerland’s Jasmina Suter, in third place, finishes with her first podium place in the European Cup discipline.  

Speed specialists on the European Cup circuit have been in Crans-Montana since Wednesday. The second downhill, which took place on Saturday morning, was won by the Austrian Rosina Schneeberger in 1’16’’49, beating her compatriot Nadine Fest by 0’’63. The Swiss were not left out, as Jasmina Suter finished in third place, 1’’47 in front of Rahel Kopp, with 1’’57. These two members of the Austrian team feel very much at ease in Crans-Montana, as they already finished in first and third place in the first downhill, however on Thursday, it was Fest who managed to beat Schneeberger.

The race winner blew away all competition. At 26, Rosina Schneeberger used her wealth of experience to perfectly master a well-prepared Mont Lachaux piste, which was made very difficult by the hardness of the snow. The icy surface proved very selective, not allowing any mistakes. The proof was that 15 women out of the 49 starters did not reach the finish.

« The upper part was really hitting hard. Noone had a good feeling in this part, and this is why I continued fighting until the bottom, and that ended up paying off. The last super quick wall was really impressive », notes Switzerland’s Jasmina Suter, who was very satisfied with her third place.  Specialising more in Giant Slalom and Super-G, the skier from Schwyz took her first European Cup downhill podium place in Crans-Montana.- The last race in Crans-Montana as part of this stop on the European Cup, a Super-G, takes place on Sunday.  It starts at 9am.

DEPREZ sa, cransmontana

2020-02-15 DH2

Video: Johan Tachet/SkiActu

Heavy snowfall and a workload to match – second downhill at 09.00 

It turned out to be a very wise decision to bring forward by a day the first Women’s European Cup downhill in Crans-Montana. In fact, between 25 and 50 centimetres of fresh snow fell overnight, making it impossible to organise a race, despite the return of the sunshine. Friday’s task was to return the Mont-Lachaux piste to competition level again, thanks to the efforts of the committed staff and with the help of soldiers from Bat inf mont 85, under the responsibility of the race director Markus Murmann. Therefore Saturday’s second downhill and Sunday’s Super-G will be taking place in the best conditions.  

Due to the increase in daytime temperatures, the fifth downhill of the season has been brought forward to 09.00.

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

2020-02-14 Piste

Video (in French only): Laurent Morel/SkiActu

Nadine Fest wins the first European Cup downhill

13.02.2020 - On Thursday, on the Mont Lachaux piste, the Austrian beat Rahel Kopp. It was a strong result overall for Switzerland, with five Swiss skiers in the top eleven places.

At the end of this week, the women’s European Cup is stopping off in Crans-Montana for three races. The first downhill took place on Thursday on the Mont Lachaux piste. Due to the poor weather forecast for Friday, the race was brought forward a day. The day belonged to Austria’s Nadine Fest, winning with a time of 1’14’’79, in front of Switzerland’s Rahel Kopp 16 hundredths behind, and another Austrian, Rosina Schneeberger 0.34 behind her. Nadine Fest therefore confirmed her position as favourite, as she currently holds first place in the overall rankings, as well as in the European Cup downhill rankings. And all this with a splint on her right hand, following a fall last week.  «I didn’t need to stop after this incident. I’m pleased with my race here in Crans-Montana. This season, I decided to focus on the European circuit rather than the World Cup. »

As for Rahel Kopp, everything went well for her too. The skier from Saint-Gall, who is always at ease on the Mont Lachaux piste, is more than satisfied with her second place. «Yes, especially as downhill is not my favourite discipline. I’m concentrating on the giant and the combined. This podium place is excellent for my confidence. This first downhill took place in good conditions on a superb piste. » The Swiss side have plenty to be pleased about. As well as Rahel Kopp, four other skiers finished in the top 11.

Due to unfavourable weather forecasts, there will be no training and racing on Friday. The program for Saturday (10:00 Downhill) and Sunday (10:00 Super-G) is maintained.

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

2020-02-13 DH1 (1)

good morning!

13.02.2020 - Today's downhill is confirmed. The first racer, the Russian Elena Yakovishina, will start at 10:00 on the very well prepared piste Mont Lachaux. Wishing all a good and accident free race.

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

The first European Cup downhill race is brought forward to Thursday 

12.02.2020 - The organisers in Crans-Montana take their responsibilities seriously in order to ensure that the two downhills and Super-G  for the women’s European Cup run as smoothly as possible. The first downhill on the Haut-Plateau has therefore been brought forward to Thursday at 10am due to the weather forecast. Snowfall and wind have been forecast for the afternoon in Crans-Montana, continuing until late into the night or longer.  

On Wednesday, the first training session for the races on the difficult Mont-Lachaux piste took place in excellent conditions on a perfectly prepared piste. France’s Karen Smadja-Clément finished with the best time, followed by Sweden’s Helena Rapaport and Switzerland’s Rahel Kopp. The Austrian favourite Nadine Fest, the European Cup leader, had the 4th best time of the day.

Alongside Rahel Kopp, the other Swiss skiers are still in the picture. Valais local Lindy Etzensperger took the 6th fastest time, Juliana Suter 10th and Jasmina Suter 14th. In other good news, there were no falls in this first test run, even though a dozen athletes missed at least one gate.  

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

1st training

Launch of the European Cup races

11.02.2020 - Despite difficult weather conditions, Markus Murmann, race director, and his team have succeeded in delivering a very well-prepared Mont Lachaux piste for the first downhill training session on Wednesday 12 February.!
During the first team leaders’ meeting, the FIS Women’s European Cup coordinator, Spaniard Jordi Pujol, and the FIS technical delegate, Fabienne Dheyriat from France, appeared more than satisfied with the work that had been put in. Although the first training session was postponed from 10am until 12pm, this was due to last minute finishing work, which included improving the installation of the safety netting. The technicians are decidedly optimistic for the two downhills this Friday and Saturday, as well as the Super-G on Sunday. 

Construction of the structures for the women’s World Cup races (21 to 23 February), with two downhills and an alpine combined programmed, are taking place alongside preparation for the European Cup. From Wednesday, in addition to the civil protection men already on site, the construction manager Dominique Morard will have reinforcement from soldiers from the Geb Inf Bat 85. It’s a huge challenge, but the multi-tasking construction team are meeting deadlines.
DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

STeam Captains Meeting: bibs draw for the 1st training downhill.

From left to right: Jordi Pujol, Fabienne Dheyriat and Marius Robyr.

Guaranteed World Cup places at stake in the European Cup races

10.02.2020 - After a positive snow control by the FIS in Crans-Montana, everything is ready for the women’s Alpine Ski World Cup races, which include two downhills and a combined, from 21 until 23 February.  However the show already starts this week on the Mont Lachaux piste, with the European Cup competitions as an appetiser. Two training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday will precede two downhill races on Friday and Saturday, and a Super-G on Sunday. All races will start at 10am.

Stakes will be high for the European Cup downhill races in Crans-Montana as these will be the last two heats this winter in the speed event. The three top ladies in the discipline on Saturday evening will be awarded guaranteed places in the World Cup next season. At the moment, Austria’s Nadine Fest, double winner in St. Anton last month, is leading the way, 200 points in front of Switzerland’s Juliana Suter (145) and her compatriot Rosina Schneeberger (130). Rahel Kopp (7^th), surprise winner in Pila last week, Vivianne Härri (12^th) and Lindy Etzensperger (15^th) will also have cards up their sleeves. Nadine Fest will also be a huge favourite for the  Super-G, as she is leading the ranking in this discipline.

49 athletes from 11 nations are enrolled in the European Cup competitions, among them several skiers from the World Cup, such as Tina Weirather, competing only in the Super-G, and Priska Nufer and Nina Ortlieb. For some skiers, this week will be a wonderful opportunity to train for the World Cup races taking place next week, and for others, it will allow them to compete against established athletes from the White Circus.

A reminder that Austria’s Elisabeth Reisinger, who won the two European Cup races in Crans-Montana last year, and her teammate Nina Ortlieb, who has twice finished on the European Cup podium in the Valais resort, have already moved on to the World Cup.   

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana