The organisers of the 2022 Ski World cup races in Crans-Montana are optimistic that the event on 26/27 February will be able to take place with spectators once again. The three ghost races in January were nevertheless a great success in terms of organisation and national and international television audiences, but the atmosphere created by the ski fans and the traditional variety of entertainment alongside the races was sorely lacking.

As far as this is concerned, there is good news for the 2022 version: the most famous folk music group in Switzerland, Oesch’s die Dritten, will be presenting their promising new show as part of the World Cup Party, which will take place on Saturday 26 February at Le Régent Tennis Centre. Assuming, of course, that Covid doesn’t veto it !

Melanie Oesch and the organiser of the World Cup Party, Hugo Steinegger (photo lead), are very optimistic after signing the contract with the Oesch's. The musicians from the Bernese Oberland, who are also popular in French-speaking Switzerland, are offering their fans a nice surprise for Easter.  

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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.

Michelle Gisin, the charismatic and much-loved ambassador for the 2027 Crans-Montana Alpine World Ski Championships bid, finished third in the overall World Cup standings and has once again continued to improve this winter. With her capacity for good performances in all disciplines, her future looks bright. 

It was a very emotional moment for Michelle Gisin when she took the third step of the podium in the overall World Cup ranking on Sunday. Although the skier from Engelberg is used to being part of the award ceremonies this winter, in Lenzerheide she almost took the wrong place, as she climbed up onto the second step. It’s perhaps only a matter of time before she does though, as her progress has been linear over the past few years. She has been battling it out against Petra Vlhova at the top of the rankings for a long time, but the Slovakian has finally managed to get ahead, and has now overtaken Lara Gut-Behrami, who got off to a flying start a few weeks ago.

But this season has still been “Micken’s” best in terms of results, at least in the World Cup. “Taking my place on this podium is very emotional, as I’ve been dreaming of this ever since I was a little girl", said the Swiss skier with the friendliest smile in the world. When I finished my Giant on Sunday, I was very emotional, and I was also able to share it with my family. Being on this podium, while also being 4^th in the Giant and the Slalom over the season makes me very proud. It’s really wonderful.”

Brilliant despite her fatigue

And in Graubünden, Michelle Gisin ended her season with two convincing results after a more complicated weekend in Åre. The Obwaldian climbed onto yet another podium, her 6th this winter, in the slalom and took a solid 5th place in the Giant. “The fatigue is immense, she admitted. It’s been an incredible season, ending with a great result. I fought hard today (editor’s note: Sunday), it was really intense and very difficult. And Saturday was also very special. It was my first podium place in a slalom in Switzerland, it was wonderful.”

It’s hard to find anything negative about Dominique and Marc’s sister. “This winter I took a big step forward in the Giant with these first podium places, and finishing on the box four times in the slalom has been really valuable”, she says. On top of this, I’ve rediscovered really great feeling and confidence in my speed. It’s great because every time I’ve been at the start gate, I’ve said to myself: ‘you can manage something really good’. It’s an amazing feeling. “

Are your sights set on the crystal globe?

“We would have put our name to this a year ago, to see her always up there in all the disciplines", adds her coach, Denis Wicki. “She has really put in a string of good performances, and her uphill curve should mean that she can dream of the crystal globe next season. “It’s important to continue progressing", she confirms. However I don’t think about the results straight away, but rather in terms of performance.” 

A plan made with Denis Wicki should allow her to achieve more wins and reach the top of her game. “That’s where there is a difference between the top two,” says the Olympic combined champion.  “You need to be good at speed too. But as I often say, the big Globe is not a goal, it’s more a dream. There are too many factors playing a part to say whether I’m going to get there. I already want to continue skiing at my level.” 

The Valaisan coach adds: “Michelle has to win the disciplines that she is best at, and today that is the Giant and the slalom. She has to win in both, several times, and afterwards she’ll do speed, when the conditions allow. Then she’ll have the level and the credibility to win the crystal globe, but not before then. The goal is set for next year, we’ve already talked about it. We know where we’re going.” A trip to Cerro Castor, close to Ushuaïa (ARG) is already planned this summer with certain skiers from the Swiss team to prepare for next season. Provided that the pandemic allows it, of course.

Photos: Agence Zoom

Advertising "Remerciements" in Le Nouvelliste from 26.01.2021

The week before the World Cup races in Crans-Montana, Swiss-Ski faced the cancellation of the Lauberhorn races in Wengen. The president of the Swiss skiing association, Urs Lehmann, was therefore relieved that the Women’s Classic on Mont Lachaux could take place as planned this weekend.

" I am very grateful and glad. We all know that we are in a difficult period at the moment. In Switzerland too, lots of things are coming to a standstill. But we are privileged to be able to continue practicing our sport. Thanks to Crans-Montana for being able to deal with the issues", declared a relieved Urs Lehmann.

A major commitment

The former world downhill champion from Aargau, who has been at the helm of Swiss-Ski since 2008, has a wealth of experience. But on Saturday afternoon, under the azure blue sky that dominated the Haut-Plateau, and after a magnificent downhill,  Lehmann was very enthusiastic : "The winner (editor’s note: Sofia Goggia) received 100 points for her result. But today, Crans-Montana also deserves 100 points for its efforts. Everyone’s commitment, from the president of the Organising Committee, Marius Robyr, to the many motivated volunteers, was simply top-notch”.

It is when days, and even the nights, are as tricky as last weekend, that it becomes clear if an organiser is worthy of organising the World Championships. "Crans-Montana has once again shown its impressive capabilities, and presented the best possible business card for its bid for the 2027 World Championships", continues Urs Lehmann.

The next step : making the bid official 

 For Marius Robyr, it is extremely pleasing to be congratulated in this way by Urs Lehmann. "We always do our best. It’s great when reactions are so positive". The president of the Organising Committee for the World Cup races, who is also Executive Director for the 2027 World Championship bid, intends to build on this momentum 

In a few weeks’ time, the bid for the World Championships has to be officially submitted to the International Ski Federation (FIS), and its president Gian Franco Kasper. The World Championships,  which would be the second to be held in Crans Montana after the 1987 event, are to be awarded at the FIS Congress in Portugal in May 2022.  

Video: SkiActu

Despite less than ideal weather conditions and a lot of snowfall overnight, the three speed races planned as part of the World Cup were able to be held, and ran smoothly, in Crans-Montana. "If you had told me this a week ago, I would have hardly believed it. I would even have bet with anyone that they wouldn’t take place”, admits the president of the Organising Committee, Marius Robyr.

According to the boss of the Haut-Plateau women’s "Classic", "everyone worked like crazy to make these three competitions possible". After another successful Super-G on Sunday, Marius Robyr is even happier : "The outcome for me is extremely positive.  It almost makes you forget the accumulated fatigue".

Wonderful races to reward the efforts overnight   

The night between Friday and Saturday was particularly memorable for the head of the organisation. A remarkable night followed by a magnificent day, illustrating the remarkable work of his entire team: "The alarm went off at 3 in the morning. An hour later, 180 people were working on the mountain. Firstly the piste was cleared of snow, then prepared ". These efforts overnight were worth it, "because we had a superb downhill, and the sun even came out".

Saturday also illustrated the progress that has been made in the organization of the event. "We now have an exceptional team that works very hard, as well as an Organising Committee that has really grown together, with everyone pulling in the same direction. When I look at the results, I couldn’t be more satisfied ", says the brigadier, still full of energy.

Partners and employees are thanked

Marius Robyr also takes the opportunity to thank the army and civil protection. "Without them, it would be very, very difficult to organise the World Cup races ". The ski lifts are also a key partner in the whole structure. "When I call CMA and tell them that we need gondola lifts at 4am in the morning, and a little help, they reply that it’s not a problem. So congratulations to them too ! "

And the Organising Committe president doesn’t forget to thank "the municipalities, that lend us their full support and provide considerable financial backing". The competitions in Crans-Montana also receive important contributions from the Canton of Valais, including economic aid from the Loterie Romande and the Sports Fund. "Many thanks to Swiss-Ski, to the FIS, to RTS, the host broadcaster, to our loyal partners and sponsors, and also to the media."

Video: SkiActu

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

The unbelievable Lara Gut-Behrami! The skier from Comano has experienced every possible emotion this weekend, before winning the Super-G this Sunday in Crans-Montana. Putting on a real demonstration, she didn’t leave any opportunity for her opponents, keeping Austria’s Tamara Tippler at bay by 0.93 seconds, and Federica Brignone by 1.02 seconds. Neverthless, the Italian still claimed her 6th podium place on the Haut-Plateau.

For Lara Gut-Behrami, revenge was sweet after a complicated start to the week in Valais for the skier from Ticino. She complained about the condition of the piste after the first training session. Last winter’s double downhill winner on the Mont Lachaux piste failed in her first downhill, finishing "only" in 16th place. She recovered well on Saturday, beaten only by an incredible Sofia Goggia, in spite of – in her words -  immense pain in her back and pelvis.

"Stiff as an old broom"

And the 29-year-old concludes her weekend in Switzerland in the best possible way, with an almost perfect race under sunny skies in Valais. She was able to enjoy a perfectly prepared slope, despite twenty centimetres of fresh snow overnight. "It was a simpler Super-G than we thought it would be, but I did make a few mistakes at the top, she declared in an interview with the RTS. The snow was easy to ski, as we weren’t on the downhill track. I was really expecting a faster and more complicated piste." 

Lara Gut-Behrami was also delighted that she wasn’t in too much pain : "This morning, I still felt as stiff as an old broom, but on skis, I don’t have any problem. Now it’s back again a bit, because the painkillers are not working as well. But it’s much better than yesterday (editor’s note: Saturday)". Thanks to this 28^th win in her career (54th podium), the winner of the big Globe in 2016 takes the red leader’s bib in the discipline, and has done an excellent job, especially by beating Sofia Goggia, who missed the penultimate gate.  

Priska Nufer makes further progress

While Wendy Holdener and Jasmine Flury veered off the course, the other Swiss women had a rather good day, like Priska Nufer from Obwald. Finishing in fifth place, she achieved the best result of her career, which up until now was 7th place…just last Friday, and once again in Crans-Montana. Corinne Suter (8th) is now 2nd in the Super-G standings whereas Joana Hählen (10th) has reassured herself after a complicated beginning to the season. Michelle Gisin finished further behind.

Photos: Agence Zoom & Deprezphoto sa, cransmontana

1st Lara Gut/SUI

2nd Tamara Tippler/AUT

3rd Federica Brignone/ITA

... and the podium.

Vidéo: SkiActu

In recent years, State Councillor Frédéric Favre has enjoyed immersing himself in the fantastic atmosphere of the World Cup competitions in Crans-Montana, sharing the emotion of the fans and all those involved in the races. However as the Mont Lachaux "Classic" took place without spectators this time, this time the head of sport for the canton of Valais found himself excitedly watching the races on the Haut-Plateau at home on television.

"I was passionate watching the downhills. Although the results were a bit disappointing on Friday from a Swiss point of view, the response on Saturday was great", smiles Frédéric Favre, who also praised “the enormous commitment of the organisers and their collaborators", taking the example of the 170 people who got up in the middle of the night to prepare a piste after dozens of centimetres of fresh snow had fallen.  "This is an example of Crans-Montana’s enthusiasm for these races", continued the State Councillor.  

"Valais is capable of organising these World Championships "

"The Organising Committee, under its president Marius Robyr, faces and adapts to every situation enthusiastically. This is exactly what we need if we want to host the World Cup races, and especially the World Championships". Frederic Favre is convinced of the merits of Crans-Montana/Valais’ bid for the 2027 World Championships: "The canton of Valais is capable of organising this event. I’m not worried about that in the slightest. With these World Championships, Valais would benefit from the best advertising in the world".

So what role would the canton of Valais play in organising such an event? "Clearly, we will support the Organising Committee. On the one hand, it’s a question of making a financial contribution, which is the responsibility of the Council of State. On the other hand, it is also a question of promoting sustainability and sport infrastructure that is orientated towards the future". 

Political support is very important

The Valais law on sport, which came into force in the current parliamentary term, would allow cantonal participation of between 20% and 30% for projects such as the construction of a multifunctional finish area in the Barzettes district. "Analyses on the subject are underway", continues Frédéric Favre.

The State Councillor stresses that political support should not be underestimated in the race for the Worlds, as he has repeatedly noted in discussions with the representatives of international sports federations. "In order to help the Organising Committee, and as Minister for Sport, I was pleased to share our proactive support with FIS representatives ".

Souvenirs, souvenirs: Frédéric Favre presents this magnificent bouquet to Wendy Holdener, who had just been crowned Alpine Combined World Champion in Åre in 2019.

The World Cup technical team on the Haut-Plateau are not to be envied: for the umpteenth time in a fortnight, a large amount of fresh snow fell overnight between Saturday and Sunday. We are talking about a good twenty centimetres on the mountain. Once again, the president of the Organising Committee, Marius Robyr ordered the entire team of around 180 people – soldiers from the Canton of Geneva 14^th Carabiniers Battalion and the Patrouille des Glaciers company, the slippers and the volunteers – to get up early to prepare the piste. From 6 o’clock onwards, everyone was on the Mont Lachaux piste so that it would be ready for the Super-G, which should have taken place at 12pm. Once again, everyone’s commitment was exemplary.

The entire Crans-Montana Alpine Ski Race Organising Committee, with the much appreciated support of the Armed Forces and Civil Defence, as well as the association with the CMA ski lifts, has made progress at all levels in recent years. The Organising Committee has demonstrated to Swiss-Ski as well as to the FIS that it is highly competent in organising a major event, especially in difficult weather conditions. This is a very important element in the bid for the 2027 World Championships, as the president of Swiss-Ski, Urs Lehman, points out: "In the World Cup, the winner receives 100 points. The Crans-Montana Organising Committee also deserves 100 points" !

 Photos: DERPEZphoto sa, cransmontana & Patrice Clivaz

Anyone who, like the president of the Organising Committee Marius Robyr and his team, want to organise successful World Cup ski races not only needs a suitable snow-covered slope, a quality piste – like Mont Lachaux - they also need to be able to count on support from the ski lift company.  

Philippe Magistretti provides this indispensable and much-appreciated support for competitions on the Haut-Plateau. The financial manager from Valais has been at the head of the Crans-Montana-Aminona (CMA) group of companies since 2009. It was during this period – exactly one year before – that the World Cup celebrated its return to Crans-Montana after a decade-long break.

"Marius and I are still full of energy"

Marius Robyr and Philippe Magistretti have played an important role in ensuring that the resort in central Valais would once again welcome the White Circus. "Not everyone was that enthusiastic from the outset", recalls the Chairman of the CMA board of directors. "With Marius, whom I respect and who, like me, is full of energy and ready to roll up his sleeves, we were determined to bring the World Cup back to our region." No sooner said than done. It’s now impossible to imagine the FIS winter calendar without Crans-Montana. 

However organising the races does come at a high cost for the ski lifts. "The amount depends above all on the weather, and among other things, on the amount of artificial snow that has to be made", Magistretti points out. However a large part of the cost is reimbursed by the municipalities. "But of course the advertising for our region on television is great."

An ethos of sustainability

Philippe Magistretti and Marius Robyr also share the same ambition. "The 2027 World Ski Championships are of course our big common goal. It would be incredible to host the competitions 40 years after the unforgettable 1987 World Championships." 

The project for the new finish stadium is at the heart of the bid for 2027, which is already underway. Involving the whole of the Barzettes district, the aim of all those involved is to create a "sustainable" event in terms of infrastructure. "We clearly want to invest in something that is not just built for a fortnight of racing, but which can be used by everyone throughout the year, if possible".

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana