It’s impossible to imagine organising sporting events without the invaluable help of volunteers. Crans-Montana and its alpine skiing events is no exception. Whatever their age, these loyal volunteers provide a precious service, dedicating numerous hours of their time in the preparation period, as well as on competition days.

At their traditional raclette evening at the start of the season in the "Bergerie du Cervin" restaurant, they are always thanked for their commitment and honoured by the OC President, Marius Robyr. On this occasion, he addressed them with a few words in his own inimitable style, and underlined that both the FIS and Swiss-Ski had praised the perfect organisation of the 2022 races, iamong others the impeccable preparation of the piste. He then went on to present the 2023 programme – with some humour and encouragement, of course - which starts with the FIS Women's European Cup races, with two downhills on 18 and 19 February, followed by the FIS Women's World Cup Classic, consisting of a downhill on Saturday 25 and a super-G on Sunday 26 February. The latter promises to be an attractive rematch after the World Championships in Courchevel/Meribel, which take place the week before. One of the reasons why the FIS has awarded the 2027 World Championships to Crans-Montana is because of the high quality of the European Cup and World Cup events that take place in the resort every year. And on each of these occasions, Crans-Montana is fortunate to be able to rely on highly committed volunteers. The accordian trio Staegmoos from the Upper Valais provided the musical entertainment on this pleasant evening.

The Crans-Montana "Bénéclub"  is delighted to welcome any new members, both for the races and the 2023 training sessions. If you are interested, please click on this link: https://www.skicm-cransmontana.ch/fr/benevoles-2023/

The Organising Committee and the heads of department look forward to welcoming you, and thank you wholeheartedly for your support. See you soon!

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

It’s underway! At 28 years old, Michelle Gisin is heading into her 11^th season on the White Circus circuit. This is an opportunity for the double Olympic combined champion to prove once again that she is one of the best skiers in the world. Our versatile ambassador has set herself a new challenge, by changing her equipment between seasons. Above all, she hopes to shine once again in Crans-Montana in a few weeks’ time, doing what she loves best - thrilling the Swiss crowds ! Interview in Levi (Finland) where the Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup is underway.

Video (in French only): SkiActu, Laurent Morel

At last! The Alpine Ski World Cup starts on Saturday 22 October in Sölden, with the traditional women's Giant. Camille Rast will be at the start gate, and she’s ambitious. The talented 23-year-old from Valais wants to reach new levels this winter, and get closer to the best athletes in the world in both the Giant and the Slalom. In order to do this, the skier from Vétroz has put all the necessary elements in place over summer, in particular, changing her equipment by switching to Salomon.

In addition, Camille Rast has been training in speed. And what if we saw her at the start gate in the World Cup Super G in Crans-Montana on 26 February 2023?

Photo: Le Nouvelliste/Video (in French only): SkiActu

Caroline Kuyper has been appointed CEO of the Organising Committee for the 2027 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Crans-Montana. From 1 January 2023, Swiss-French Kuyper will be in charge of operations for these events on the Valais high plateau.

Four months after the International Ski Federation (FIS) awarded the 2027 Alpine World Ski Championships to Crans-Montana, the management of the Crans-Montana Organising Committee has found the ideal person to take on the role of CEO in Caroline Kuyper. Thanks to her previous professional activities, 58-year-old Kuyper, who is French-speaking Swiss with Dutch roots, has excellent knowledge in the fields of organisation, project management, finance and strategy. She has considerable professional experience in the private sector as well as in public administration and international sport.

Over the last two decades, she has worked in business and finance management with Nestlé. In 2012, Caroline Kuyper took up the position of CFO with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where she was responsible for all of the financial management related to the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, and some areas of organisational preparation for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

In 2015, she joined the Federal Statistical Office as deputy director, and was also responsible for the Resources and International Affairs division. Caroline Kuyper, who took part in the first International Snowboarding Federation (ISF) World Snowboard Championships in 1993 as an athlete, has since 2021 been working as Associate Vice President for Participations at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), having previously held the position of Vice- President of Finance for four years. This passionate sportswoman (alpine skiing, ski mountaineering, sailing, cycling) plans to move from the shores of Lake Geneva to Crans-Montana in the coming months.

«I would like to thank the management of the Organising Committee for offering me this wonderful opportunity, and for the confidence they have shown in me. My love for Valais was forged when I was a ski racer in my teens. Since then, I have maintained a strong connection and attachment to the region, and I’m looking forward to moving here», says Caroline Kuyper. «It is a great honour to be able to take over the operational management of the Alpine World Ski Championships. It will be important for me to put the athletes at the centre of an event that is environmentally friendly, modern and which will be looking towards the future. I’m convinced that I will be able to count on the support of all those involved, the local population, the authorities and experts from the ski world, so that we will be able to organise a World Cup that will leave a positive legacy for our young people, and will be the pride not only of the Haut-Plateau region, but also of Valais and the whole of Switzerland».

« We are very pleased to have been able to secure the services of such an outstanding personality and proven specialist as Caroline Kuyper as CEO of the 2027 Alpine World Ski Championships in Crans-Montana, » says Urs Lehmann, president of Swiss-Ski and the 2027 Alpine World Ski Championships Organising Committee. «In addition to her many years of experience in management positions with renowned companies and institutions, Caroline Kuyper has a broad political and economic network, and sound knowledge of the subject. Her work for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) means she has contacts at the highest level of international sport.»

« For the region of Crans-Montana, the Canton of Valais and Switzerland, the 2027 World Ski Championships are a very important event: we will be the ski capital of the world for a fortnight, and we want everything to be perfect. Caroline Kuyper's professionalism and experience will generate an efficient dynamic between the different entities involved in the organisation of this world event. And it's great that a woman will be bringing her management style to an essentially male sector », adds Nicolas Féraud, Vice-President of the 2027 Alpine World Ski Championships Organising Committee and President of the Association of Municipalities of Crans-Montana.

The fifth edition of the " FRIENDS OF THE CRANS-MONTANA WORLD CUP " raclette, served in the charming setting of "La Bergerie du Cervin" restaurant in Vermala, was once again a joyful get-together and a great success, as well as an excellent appetiser for the forthcoming 2022/23 FIS World Cup season.

Marius Robyr, president of the Crans-Montana Ski World Cup Organising Committee, welcomed a record number of 102 FRIENDS - out of 395 registered members. After his welcome, and in his usual easygoing style, he presented the Women's World Cup Classic, which will include a Downhill on Saturday 25 and a Super-G on Sunday 26 February 2023, and he also shared a few details about the next important deadlines for the 2027 World Championships.

Naturally, it’s unthinkable to have a wood-fired raclette without folk music and an accordion. The Amis de Sonville musicians from Nendaz once again came over from the other side of the valley for this autumnal meeting, making this a moment for everyone to share a wonderful experience.

Would you like to join the Friends of the World Cup? It's very simple, you can register simply by clicking here. The Crans-Montana World Cup Steering Committee would be delighted to welcome any new members.

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

Galerie

Johan Eliasch, FIS President since June 2021, was in Crans-Montana this week to meet the members of Club 5 Ski Classics, an organisation that brings together the organisers of the major races in the Alpine Skiing World Cup. This was an opportunity for the Swedish-British businessman to talk about his relationship with the Valais resort, for which he has a deep appreciation.

What are your links with Crans-Montana?
Crans-Montana is an iconic ski and golf destination, it has gained its golf reputation over many years. It's a beautiful place.

How did you feel about the resort being chosen in May as host of the 2027 World Championships?
It was the obvious choice! I'm very confident, I think there will be a lot of interest in the World Championships here, it's very exciting. When the FIS Council overwhelmingly agreed to award them to Crans-Montana, I was not really surprised, the bid itself was excellent. In 1987 the World Championships here were great, and I think with the improvements that are going to be made, especially to the finish stadium, it's going to be perfect.

Can we expect to see the World Cup finals in Crans-Montana in 2026?
We haven't decided yet, but Crans-Montana is not guaranteed to be hosting them in 2026. But to be honest, do we need to test Crans-Montana before 2027? I don't think so (editor's note: the Men's Speed World Cup could stop off in the resort in 2025). We don't need to test Saalbach in 2024 with a view to 2025, so...

Is Valais a region you particularly appreciate?
Yes, I love this region. As a child, I spent a lot of time skiing in Zermatt and that's how I got to know Franz Julen (ex-Intersport CEO and organiser of the 'Speed Opening') so well.

DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

An extremely positive signal was given on Wednesday evening in Crans-Montana! The Crans-Montana Association of Municipalities (ACCM) Assembly of Delegates (ACCM) said a big "yes" to the guarantee credit for construction of the new finish line stadium for the 2027 World Championships.

The guarantee credit of CHF 14.490 million was unanimously approved, thereby strengthening the municipalities of Crans-Montana, Icogne and Lens’ support for competitive alpine skiing on the Haut-Plateau. The new stadium, which will be built in the same place as the current building, will be the showcase for Crans-Montana and Valais during the competitions in February 2027. In addition to support from the municipalities, the Canton and the Confederation have also committed to support the construction of this new site.

It should be noted that the stadium, which will be level with the finish line, is made up of several different levels and a vast basement intended to accommodate production buses during the races, and provide summer storage for bulky equipment which belongs to the municipality. The premises, which will meet International Ski Federation (FIS) requirements, will of course be used for the Alpine Skiing World Cup races, as well as other sporting and cultural events, both in winter and summer.

« This is great news », confirmed Nicolas Féraud, president of the ACCM Board of Directors. « It shows how united our municipality is in backing the events, and also the region’s enthusiasm for the World Championships, no doubt motivated by memories of the 1987 Championships, and the local population’s awareness of the importance of such a project. »

The stadium is due to be put out to public enquiry in the months ahead so that work can begin as soon as possible to meet the tight deadlines.

For the first time since joining the Club5 Ski Classics, a club that brings together the main organisers of World Cup races, in 2016, Crans-Montana welcomed its peers in order to look ahead to the future. The highlight of the Valais workshop was the visit of FIS President Johan Eliasch, who was able to share his vision with the somewhat worried organisers.

For a first, it was quite a firework display! The Club5 Ski Classics workshop lived up to all its promises this Monday and Tuesday in Crans-Montana. This meeting, the first in three years after a long period of the Covid-19 pandemic, that brings together organisers of the major Alpine Ski World Cup races, gave everyone greater clarity about the future. « The objectives were mainly achieved, which is extremely positive, » said the president of the organisation, Srecko Medven, after the various meetings.

The 18 members of the Club5, including the founders Kitzbühel, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Val d'Isère, Val Gardena and Wengen, took up the invitation. On Monday, the focus was on promoting the resorts through major events and innovation in terms of security. Several technical meetings were held at the same time at Le Régent Congress Centre. The day ended with a typical Valais raclette, one of the side events that helped to strengthen ties between the participants.

On Tuesday, the various stakeholders mainly discussed rights, and their relationship with the International Ski Federation. They were able to address their grievances to Johan Eliasch. The Swedish-British president, who has been president of the FIS for over a year now, responded positively to the Club5's invitation, and outlined what he hopes to change within the international body, starting with the centralisation of rights and an "improved" calendar.  « You are the ones that make skiing happen, you give a face to the sport, you are the pillars » reassured Johan Eliasch. « Without you, the races would not be possible, however it is also essential to be looking ahead. »

The gala dinner held afterwards provided an opportunity for the various organisers to strengthen ties before they travelled onwards to Zurich, where various FIS meetings are being held. « The varied programme, particularly outside of the meetings, enabled us to cultivate contacts, » said the workshop's organisers Marius Robyr and Hugo Steinegger, President and Vice-President of the Crans-Montana races. « This was very important after a pandemic period that has been difficult for everyone. » Crans-Montana has scored some great points ahead of welcoming the World Championships in 2027.

Video: SkiActu / DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

With just under six months to go before the women's World Cup races in Crans-Montana, a delegation from the FIS, led by Peter Gerdol, race director for the women's World Cup, Swiss-Ski and RTS, the official competition broadcaster, paid a visit to the organisers of the races on the Haut-Plateau, led by Marius Robyr, president of the organising committee.

Between working sessions and inspection of the Mont Lachaux piste, the various stakeholders discussed the route, course safety, location of the cameras and various changes to be made to the television production, as well as to the organisation of such an event.

Crans-Montana will host a women's World Cup downhill and super-G on 25 and 26 February 2023, just after the Courchevel/Meribel World Championships. The weekend before, the women's European Cup will take centre stage. And, as is now the tradition, a men's night slalom will illuminate the Haut-Plateau resort on Wednesday 11 January 2023.

Video (in French only): SkiActu / DEPREZphoto sa, cransmontana

Marius Robyr and Hugo Steinegger, the two executive directors for the Crans-Montana bid to host the 2027 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, took advantage of the fact that Michelle Gisin and her partner, giant slalom skier Luca de Aliprendini, were staying on the Valais High Plateau to pay tribute to her. The gold and bronze medallist at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games has been a charming and effective ambassador for the bid. Throughout the bid phase, Michelle Gisin managed to constantly draw the attention of the ski world to Crans-Montana’s many assets. She was also a charismatic, passionate and convincing actress in the film that was presented to the FIS Council just before the election - To view the film > https://www.cransmontana2027.ch/en/home/ > The Bid Film

Photo : Luciano Miglionico