A foretaste of the Olympics in the Martello Valley

On Tuesday, the renowned winter sports event in Vinschgau was officially presented to the media at the headquarters of the main sponsor rothoblaas in Kurtatsch.

First of all, the presentation took a look into the history books: The Marmotta Trophy has been held in the Martell Valley since 2008. Initially intended by the mountain rescue service, the Alpine Club of South Tyrol and the Martell Sports Club as an alternative event to large-scale ski tourism, the ski mountaineering competitions have taken place at irregular intervals from 2011 and every year since 2021 as a World Cup stage. “In the beginning, hobby athletes were still able to take part in the Marmotta Trophy, but now only the world elite are allowed to take part,” said OK President Georg Altstätter, who is also the mayor of Martell, at the media event.

<a data-caption="Präsentierten die Marmotta Trophy im rothoblaas-Firmensitz: Robert Blaas, Andrea Schwembacher, Katharina Fleischmann, Peter Altstätter und Georg Altstätter (v.l.) © Sportissimus" data-fancybox="inline-197605" target="_image" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1280x1280/img/2024/02/praesentierten-die-marmotta-trophy-im-rothoblaas-firmensitz-robert-blaas-andrea-schwembacher-katharina-fleischmann-peter-altstaetter-und-georg-altst.jpg"> Presented the Marmotta Trophy at the rothoblaas headquarters: Robert Blaas, Andrea Schwembacher, Katharina Fleischmann, Peter Altstätter and Georg Altstätter (from left) © Sportissimus

The name Marmotta Trophy has nothing to do with marmots - the Italian name for it is Marmotta - but comes from the fact that the first editions led to the summit of the same name. “In the meantime, the individual competition is no longer at the top. Of course, we are proud that the Marotta Trophy has been an integral part of the World Cup calendar for three years now. This is also proof that the organizing committee is working well,” continued Altstätter.

23 participating nations – a record This year's program includes a normal individual competition this Thursday, starting at 9.30 a.m. from the Hotel Paradiso at the head of the Martello valley. “The men’s route is 14,3 kilometers long with 1504 meters of elevation gain, the women’s route is 13,25 km and a total of 1366 meters of elevation gain. It is a big challenge for the athletes because they are in high alpine terrain and on extremely technically demanding passages,” explained OK member Peter Altstätter, who is also chairman of AVS Martell.

On Saturday, however, the mixed relay takes place - the starting signal for the qualification is given at 8.55 a.m. - and on Sunday the Marmotta Trophy 2024 comes to an end with the sprints starting at 9.40 a.m. Both disciplines will celebrate their Olympic premiere in 2026 and will take place in and around the Grogg Biathlon Center. This gives the spectators a perfect view of the action and makes the event very attractive for the fans.

A South Tyrolean at the start They are particularly proud of the fact that almost 140 ski mountaineers from 23 different nations will be in action over the next few days. “So many nations have never taken part in a World Cup stage this season. This probably also has something to do with the fact that Martell hosts the mixed relay and sprint, the two competition formats that will be Olympic from 2026. Alex Oberbacher from Val Gardena, a South Tyrolean ski mountaineer, is also at the start. “But there are also nations like Australia, Japan and Brazil that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to be involved in ski mountaineering,” said Georg Altstätter.

Race director Egon Eberhöfer, who visited the routes on Tuesday with those responsible for the international association ISMF, reported on the snow situation but was connected to the media conference by radio. “It's a little cloudy, but things look very good on the track. At the moment everything indicates that we can hold the individual on the original route,” said Eberhöfer. “In the event of an emergency, the rescue helicopter can be on site in just a few minutes.” OK member Peter Altstätter about the security concept The issue of security is also an important aspect. During the individual competition in open terrain, around 80 marshals are on duty, almost all of whom are members of the mountain rescue or the Alpine club. “In an emergency, the rescue helicopter can be on site in just a few minutes. Of course we hope that everything goes smoothly, but it is just as important that we are prepared for all eventualities,” explained Peter Altstätter when asked by Katharina Fleischmann, who skilfully led the media conference.

The Marmotta Trophy program: Thursday February 22nd 9.30 a.m.: Individual Race Men 10 a.m.: Individual Race Women 12 p.m.: Award ceremony in the finish area (former Hotel Paradiso)

Friday February 23th Day off

Saturday, February 24 8.55 a.m.: Qualification for the women's mixed relay 9.10 a.m.: Men's relay qualification 10 a.m.: B final 11 a.m.: A final 12.15 p.m.: Award ceremony in the Grogg biathlon center 12.45 p.m.: Start number raffle for the sprint races

Sunday February 25th 9.40 a.m.: Qualification for women's sprint 10 a.m.: Qualification men's sprint 12.23 p.m.: Final women's sprint 12.36 p.m.: Final men's sprint 13 p.m.: Award ceremony in the Grogg biathlon center

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A foretaste of the Olympics in the Martello Valley

A dozen or so World Cup events are held in South Tyrol every winter. The last of this season will take place in Martell in the coming days: the now legendary Marmotta Trophy. From Thursday to Sunday, the world's best ski tourers will meet - also in the new Olympic disciplines.

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