Atmosphere at the Tour de Ski: What the Treichel Group is all about

Roaring noise caused by large cowbells: sounds that are well known from various winter sports world cups. In cross-country skiing, however, a very special group has always been at the forefront with their "bells": the cowbell group from Val Müstair. They are also a must at the Tour de Ski in Toblach. They are Josef Tschenett, Toni Hellrigl, Mario Danz and Hans Conradin. Hellrigl also represents a South Tyrolean in the Swiss group. The Vinschger, however, moved from Taufers in Münstertal to Val Müstair near the border a long time ago.

The Treichel group, which has been creating a good atmosphere at international cross-country skiing events with its oversized cowbells since 2007, was actually founded as a Dario Cologna fan club. The Swiss national hero with Vinschgau roots (Dario's father Remo was born in Taufers in Münstertal, his mother Christine Platzer comes from Stilfs) ended his career in 2022. But this was not to be the end for the Treichel group. Their enthusiasm for cross-country skiing is too great. Even without "their" Dario, they continue to travel to World Cup events.

A cross-country skiing icon: Dario Cologna © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

This time, as part of the Tour de Ski, they are even spending New Year's Eve in Toblach. "We arrived on Saturday and are staying here until New Year's Day," says Josef Tschenett. The Swiss are staying in Niedervintl. They couldn't get any closer. They had already started looking for rooms months ago, but everything in Toblach was already booked up - the peak tourist season and the international spectacle Tour de Ski send their regards. But the cross-country skiing fans from Switzerland haven't had enough of the tour in Toblach. First they're going home to the Swiss Val Müstair for a day, then straight on to the Val di Fiemme, where the next races will take place starting next Friday.

Romansh as a cultural asset On the front of the Müstair group's red T-shirts, you can read "Gruppa da zampuogns" in large letters, which means bell group in Romansh, and on the back you can find the term in German. This is because a large part of the population in Müstair speaks Romansh. The language is preserved as a cultural asset. In Val Müstair, the Romansh idiom Vallader is written and spoken. It is anchored in the municipality's constitution and is also defined as the official language of instruction. The valley's dialect is called Jauer, which is why the residents are also called "the Jauer".

But where does the name Treichelgruppe actually come from? "That is the Swiss German word for cattle bells or jingles," explains Hellrigl. Treicheln, also spelled Trycheln, has become a Swiss tradition. This old custom actually comes from the Haslital in the Bernese Oberland. During New Year's week, young and old drive away "evil spirits" with cattle bells, jingles and sometimes drums to the beat of the "Trychelmarsch." There may not be any such spirits at the Tour de Ski, but the "Gruppa da zampuogns" will certainly ensure a good atmosphere at the next races.

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Atmosphere at the Tour de Ski: What the Treichel Group is all about

Anyone who goes to the Tour de Ski in Toblach these days cannot miss the Treichel group. But who are these men who create a great atmosphere at the cross-country skiing World Cup? Editor Michael Andres explains in his diary.

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