Whether we call them "Bénévoles", "Freiwillige Helfer", "Volunteers", "Voluntari", or even "History makers", as was the case in the 2020 Ice Hockey Worlds in Lausanne/Zurich, it doesn’t matter, we’re talking about the very same precious aides without whom none of the events, whether sporting or otherwise, would be possible. Naturally, this is also the case for the Alpine ski races in Crans-Montana.

The Organising Committee wanted to celebrate all of the motivated people who, year after year, offer so many hours of work, during the preparation phase as well as on race days. At the traditional pre-season raclette evening at La Bergerie du Cervin restaurant, the president of the Organising Committee, Marius Robyr, was full of his usual verve as he addressed the volunteers with some touching words. Of course he didn’t forget to offer some motivatation for the forthcoming multipack of races in 2020:  the Men’s Night Exhibition Slalom (Wednesday 15 January), the Women’s European Cup races (14-16 February) and the Women’s World Cup (23/24 February), as well as the training days before the races. This pleasant get together also featured music from Jean-Ber (Jean-Bernard Rey) on the accordian.  

The Crans-Montana "Bénéclub" is delighted to welcome new volunteers for the 2020 races. If you’re interested, please fill in the online form at www.skicm-cransmontana.ch
The Organising Committee thanks you in advance. 

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

The 2019/20 season holds some major challenges for the organising committee of the Alpine Ski races in Crans-Montana. There are six races to organise ! A Men’s Night Exhibition Slalom on 15 January, three Women’s European Cup races (two Downhills and a Super G), from 14 until 16 February, and two Women’s World Cup races on 22 (Downhill) and 23 February (Alpine Combined with a Super G and Slalom).

During the traditional meeting before winter, the president of the organising commitee, Marius Robyr, was precise, concise and inspiring as he presented the many missions and tasks that await all of the team leaders. The charismatic brigadier’s motto for the 2019/20 for organisation of the six attractive races, and their additional programmes, is « Perfection in all areas».

At the moment, all efforts are concentrated on Wednesday 15 January, the day of the Men’s Night Exhibition Slalom, between the Adelboden and Wengen World Cup races. The best slalom skiers in the world will be competing for the 20,000 Swiss francs on offer to the winner.

The strong team spirit of the Organising Committee means that everything is being done to ensure that the races are a great success. Alongside precious support from the CMA ski lift company, the military (an average of 200 men per day, for the training days as well as the races), people from the Civil Defence, as well as our Swiss-Ski and FIS International Ski Federation partners.

Marius Robyr also presented a positive intermediary report regarding the Crans-Montana/Valais bid for organisation of the 2025 Alpine World Ski Championships. A convincing bid book was presented to the FIS, but with Saalbach-Hinterglemm/Austria and Garmisch-Partenkirchen/Germany as rivals, the competition is stiff. Whatever the verdict on 21 May 2020, at the end of the election of the host resort by the FIS Council, Crans-Montana will remain in the running for the formidable challenge that is the « Ski World Championships ».

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

The new official Crans-Montana 2020 World Cup hat is here ! The colour changes each year, and this will be the case until the 2025 World Championships, if the FIS attribute them to us, which we very much hope will be the case. It looks great: in white, with a wide anthracite grey stripe and white wording, which stands out beautifully, and it is topped off with an orange pompom.  It looks really cool ! You can get yours at Crans-Montana Tourism and Congress. The price: CHF 20.00.

Are you still looking for Christmas present ideas ? Why not leave one of these hats under the Christmas tree ? Or tickets for the World Cup Party on Saturday 22 February 2020 with the most famous Swiss folk music group, Oesch’s die Dritten, or/and “Grandstand“ tickets for the World Cup races on 22 and 23 February.  Tickets are also available from Crans-Montana Tourism and Congress, or online at www.skicm-cransmontana.ch

The second major World Cup meet of the 2019/20 season next weekend, in Levi/Finland, is an opportune moment to note the men’s night slalom display taking place on Wednesday 15 January 2020 in Crans-Montana. Between the renowned classic World Cup races in Adelboden and Wengen, the best slalom specialists in the world will be present on the Haut-Plateau to demonstrate their mastery on the spectacular Mont Lachaux/Nationale slope, which is visible in full from the finish stadium. After two heats, the winner will receive a cool CHF 20,000.00.

The Crans-Montana World Cup organisation committee are working to ensure that this slalom is an attractive and fascinating “aperitif“, with free access, prior to the Women’s European Cup races (14-16 February)  and the two World Cup races (22.02./Downhill and 23.02/Alpine Combined). – Photos (Zoom agency): Daniel Yule and Clément Noël – two very top slalom racers, who will probably be among the 30 slalom skiers selected for this night slalom. 

The day before the start of the 2019/20 Alpine skiing season in Sölden/Aut, our videographer duo Laurent Morel and Johan Tachet (opening of section) and Wendy Holdener are already saying that they are delighted to be competing in the World Cup Downhill and Alpine Combined races in Crans-Montana, scheduled for 22 and 23 February.  The Organisation Committee is carefully preparing for this attractive Women’s Classic on the Mont Lachaux piste, and the packed accompanying programme. Ticket sales for the « grandstands » are live online, via our site. To book yours, click here. As an aperitif, before the races there will be a Night Men’s Slalom Exhibition on 15 January, featuring some of the best slalom skiers in the world, and also three Women’s European Cup races, including two Downhills on 14 and 15 February, as well as a Super G, on 16th.

Video in french and german only

For the fourth time, the FRIENDS OF THE CRANS-MONTANA WORLD CUP met up over a delicious raclette served at the  « La Bergerie du Cervin » restaurant in Vermala. This very pleasant get together was a perfect success, and a chance to get into the mood ready for the start of the FIS World Cup 2019/20 season. It will be stopping off on the Valais Haut-Plateau on 22 and 23 February 2020. On the programme, « our » annual classic Women’s race, a Downhill and an Alpine Combined (Super-G/Slalom).

Marius Robyr, the charismatic President of the Crans-Montana World Cup Organisation Committee, addressed the FRIENDS with plenty of humour and imagination, and presented the 2020 edition to those gathered, not forgetting the additional programme and high point : the promising World Cup Party, and the highlight, the best Swiss folk group, Oesch’s die Dritten. Ticket sales commence on 4 November (see the relevant section on the home page). Of course he didn’t stay quiet about the Crans-Montana/Valais bid for organisation of the 2025 Alpine Ski World Championships, and shared some interesting news about the evolution of the bid. The impressive bid dossier was presented to the International Ski Federation on 1^st September. At the beginning of October, those in charge had to present and comment on the bid in front of FIS experts during the autumn FIS meeting. Competition is stiff. When the decision is announced on 21 May 2020, in Royal Cliff/Thailand we will know who, between Crans-Montana/Valais, Saalbach-Hinterglemm/Austria and Garmisch-Partenkirchen/Germany, will be organising the 2025 World Championships.

Sun, woodfire raclette and a little accordian music proved an invigorating menu!  The Amis de Sonville group (Nendaz) did a great job of entertaining at the friendly event. The FRIENDS present had the honour of being the first to receive and wear the 2020 Crans-Montana World Cup hat. The new look is really nice: white, grey and orange, and it will definitely stand out ! They will be on sale for CHF 20.00 from 1st December 2019 in the Crans-Montana Tourism and Congress offices.

Would you like to join the FRIENDS OF THE CRANS-MONTANA WORLD CUP, which already numbers over 300 people ? It’s very simple, just enrol here. The World Cup committee welcomes all new members with great pleasure.

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

Ziko and Charly Cottini, racelette champions !

Martial Kamerzin, president of the commune of Icogne, Marius Robyr, president of the Organisation Committee for the World Cup races, and Hugo Steinegger, vice-president of the Organisation Committee, are fans of the Amis de Sonville from Nendaz.

Step by step, stage after stage, and working very closely with Swiss-Ski, the committed and highly motivated bid committee for the Crans-Montana/ Valais 2025 Alpine FIS World Ski Championships is heading towards the final decision, which will be made by the FIS council on 21 May during the International Ski Federation congress at Royal Cliff in Thailand. 

The 180 page bid book, which includes a number of illustrations of technical plans (for exemple, photo), was submitted to the FIS by the deadline at the beginning of September. The FIS then convened the three candidates for the 2025 WC, Saalbach-Hinterglemm/Austria, Garmisch-Partenkirchen/Germany and Crans-Montana, as well as other candidates, namely Trondheim/Norway (WC 2025 nordic ski), Harrachov/Czech Republic (WC 2024 ski flying) and Krasnoyarsk/Russia (WC 2025 freestyle ski and snowboard), to a coordination meeting lasting several days. Then, all candidates were required to make a test presentation at the traditional FIS autumn session which took place the first week of October in Zurich. Each candidate had an hour to present and explain the main themes of their bid to a group of FIS experts, led by the secretary general, Sarah Lewis. 

The Crans-Montana/Valais delegation was very well prepared, and was well received thanks to an animated presentation by the following representatives (photo from left) : Bruno Huggler, director of Crans-Montana Tourism and Congress; Nicolas Féraud, president of Crans-Montana commune and president of the bid strategic committee; Dr. Urs Lehmann, Swiss-Ski president and vice-president of the bid strategic committee; Marius Robyr, director of the bid committee; Sophie Genoud, secretary; Hugo Steinegger, vice-director; Markus Murmann, sport manager.

Before the launch of the winter season, the FIS International Ski Federation carries out an annual inspection of every site that organises World Cup races. For the 2020 races in Crans-Montana, this took place on Saturday 7 September.

On the programme for this 2020 edition in the Haut-Plateau region, Women’s European Cup races on 15 and 16 February (two Downhills, preceeded by two training sessions on 13/14.02) and the Women’s World Cup on Saturday 22 February (Downhill) and Sunday 23 (Alpine Combined with Super G and Slalom) as well as two Downhill training sessions on 20 and 21.02.

The inspection was led by the duo (title photo from right) Peter Gerdol, new FIS chief race director  for the Women’s World Cup, and Marius Robyr, president of the Crans-Montana Organisation Committee. They were joined by their closest collaborators, and representatives from the RTS (Télévision Suisse Romande), official broadcasters for the Crans-Montana World Cup and Swiss-Ski.

Particular attention was paid to the Mont Lachaux piste and its key sections, as well as to the position of TV cameras and organisation of the departure and finish zones. Other important points were also addressed, such as piste preparation, the number of machines on site 24h/24, the emergency services, demarcation of "Spectator" zones, the Media service, team accommodation, as well as the draws for bibs and the public prizegiving. The European Cup races were also on the agenda, with the presence of the new FIS Women’s coordinator, Jordi Pujol. The close working relationship between all participants was evident throughout an intense morning’s work, in view of this extremely attractive annual Women’s Classic.

Photo of the group on the lower part of the Mont Lachaux Piste, from left: Dave Léchenne (RTS, Swiss French TV),  Jordi Pujol (FIS), Jean-Philippe Vulliet (FIS), Julien Baszanger (RTS), Marius Robyr (President of the OC Crans-Montana), Peter Gerdol (FIS), Markus Murmann (OC), Sophie Genoud (OC), Franz Hofer (Swiss-Ski), Hannes Hofer (Swiss-Ski), Yannick Krijnen (RTS) and Coralie Perrottet (RTS).

DEPREZphoto, cransmontana

It’s an important day for Marius Robyr and Hugo Steinegger: the director and vice-director of the Crans-Montana/Valais bid to organise the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2025 have submitted the candidature dossier to the FIS International Ski Federation within the required time frame.  In this « Bid Book », which consists of 20 subjects, the FIS have asked a huge amount of mostly very detailed questions. These include questions regarding support for the World Championships that is being bid for, the organisation structure, budget, accommodation, transport, media, promotion, accreditation, sustainable development and ceremonies, as well as the vast subject of the pistes, the finish stadium, ski lifts, artificial snow making and race infrastructure.

Thanks to the experts who played a part in compiling it, a 180 page dossier, including 10 A3 plans, was put together. The accompanying letters of support from the Confederation, the canton of Valais, the Association of Communes of Crans-Montana ACCM, the CMA cable car company, the Association of Hoteliers of Crans-Montana are also extremely important. This dossier has been submitted to the FIS, and will now be studied in detail by the FIS. A site inspection by FIS experts will also take place before winter. If this and the dossier, with any further additions or changes, receive their support, the candidature will be presented to the FIS council.

The election, following a presentation of the candidates, will take place on 20 May 2020, at the FIS congress. The competition Crans-Montana/Valais 2025 is up against is stiff, as it will be competing against great candidates such as Saalbach-Hinterglemm/Austria and Garmisch-Partenkirchen/Germany. Marius Robyr is in fighting spirit : « The Crans-Montana/Valais bid is closely linked to Swiss-Ski, and has strong support from the political and tourist world. We are presenting an interesting concept, orientated towards the future, with a new multi-functional finish stadium and significant enhancement of the « Barzettes » site, including a new cable car installation (and also expansion of the Violettes car park) and construction of a hotel. The various necessities required by the FIS for organising such a meeting have of course been integrated in the planning.

The aim is not only to organise the World Championships in the heart of the Alps with infrastructure designed for durability, but also to motivate young people to take part in snow sports, and to mobilize all political, economic and touristic stakeholders to work together on a project which promises to be strong and meaningful, and which will convey healthy values and images of the resort.

Passion and Emotion are key words for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Crans-Montana/Valais 2025.

The first information session for candidates, in all disciplines, for the organisation of the 2025 World Championships took place recently at the scheduled International Ski Federation meeting in Dubrovnik-Cavtat/CRO. In Alpine skiing, the candidates already disclosed to the general public are Garmisch-Partenkirchen/GER, Saalbach-Hinterglemm/AUT and Crans-Montana/Valais. The latter’s  Bid Committee was represented by Dr. Urs Lehmann, Swiss-Ski president, and by the two executive officials, Marius Robyr and Hugo Steinegger (photo at top of article).

Each Bid Committee has received an 80 page questionnaire from the FIS, addressing some 20 topics such as, for example, financial support for the bid, infrastructure on site, accommodation capacity, transport, marketing, TV/Media operations, human resources, security and sustainable development. The deadline to submit this very detailed document to the FIS is 1^st September 2019. After examining it, a review board from the FIS will visit the candidates, who will have the whole winter to make any improvements they might wish to make to their dossier. Then on 20 May next year, the FIS committee will elect the host site for the 2025 World Championships at the FIS congress (17-23 May 2020) held in Pattaya, Thailand.

In order to process the questionnaire, the Crans-Montana/Valais 2025 Bid Committee has called upon a range of experts. A first meeting with them, led by Marius Robyr, managing director of the bid committee, took place in the finish stadium. The bid for this great « Crans-Montana/Valais World Ski Championships » challenge has now entered the concrete phase of the process.

Video (in french only): Johan Tachet, SkiActu