There will definitely be no races in Zermatt/Cervinia next winter. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

Project failed: Zermatt/Cervinia is off the ski calendar

There will be no Alpine World Cup races in Zermatt/Cervinia next season.

March 24, 2024

From: apa/dl

The organizers made this decision in consultation with those responsible at Swiss-Ski, the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) and the International Ski Federation (FIS). The closer the end of the current World Cup winter came, the more the downhill runs at the foot of the Matterhorn became an issue again.

The races had sparked great debate since they were first added to the calendar last season. Two downhill runs were scheduled for men and women in 2022 and 2023; both times they would have marked the start of the speed season. Not a single race took place. The weather at the beginning of November did not allow any competitions.

Relocation is not an issue for organizers

The FIS leadership suggested that the local organizers postpone the races to a later date due to the meteorological conditions that often prevail at this time of year, but the suggestion fell on deaf ears. Among other things, the makers in Valais and the Aosta Valley justified their negative attitude with insufficient accommodation capacity in the high season.

No World Cup races could yet be held in Zermatt/Cervinia. © ANSA / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

“Even if everything organizationally were set to green, there are currently so many fundamental questions open regarding the future World Cup calendar that, after careful consideration in dialogue with all stakeholders, we have come to the decision to suspend the Matterhorn Speed ​​Opening,” said Diego Zuger, managing director at Swiss-Ski together with Walter Reusser, was quoted in a statement.

The decision should not have been made public until the next few days. Statements made during the World Cup final in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, for example by FIS President Johan Eliasch, that Zermatt/Cervinia would not have a place in the next World Cup calendar, made an immediate statement essential. Zuger wrote: “Since all the details have not yet been clarified, communication from the FIS was only planned for the coming week. Ultimately, it is up to the FIS Council to make the final decision and remove the races from the 2024/25 calendar.”