Ski World Cup and Corona: This is how it should work in Sölden

The planning: Due to the current Covid-19 regulations, when the concept was created it quickly became clear that it would only work without spectators. Thanks to the races being brought forward by a week, the glacier is available exclusively for the races for three days. The ÖSV is initially planning all World Cup events without spectators until the end of the year.

Arrival and departure of the athletes: The World Cup opener has been made a national affair, which makes things easier. In this way, the ÖSV also accommodates the participating nations in terms of administration by helping them to meet the requirements required for entry if necessary. The racing teams and their entourage enjoy a kind of special status. For some nations, the return journey to their home country could prove more difficult. The relevant conditions – quarantine, testing – change often.

We carefully monitor who comes to the World Cup in the winter sports resort of Sölden. © APA (EXPA/Groder)

The tests: Negative PCR tests not older than 72 hours are a prerequisite for participation or receipt of accreditation. A so-called LAB truck with a mobile high-tech laboratory from the state of Tyrol will also be stationed in Sölden itself from Wednesday for short-term rapid tests. The result should be available within a few hours.

Layout, accommodation on site: The people involved in the start of the World Cup will be divided into four “bubbles” and will stay in assigned hotels. Athletes, service people and the FIS staff form the “Red” group. Employees and people from external companies are “blue”. Media gather under “yellow”. They are also allowed to interview the active participants in open mixed zones such as one set up in an underground car park. Around 200 special guests (“green”) are allowed to sit in assigned seats on the fixed concrete grandstand in the finish area. You don't need a test.

The hustle and bustle at the foot of the Rettenbachfern will remain manageable. © soelden.com

Getting to the race: The ascent via the glacier road is done individually or with a limited number of people in cars or buses. Traffic jams as usual are not to be expected because the racing area is closed to tourism. However, there is skiing on the neighboring Tiefenbach glacier.

The award ceremony: This takes place directly in the finish area. The athletes will probably have to collect their prizes from a table themselves. Handshakes and congratulations in the classic sense are canceled.

Gastronomy in Sölden: There is a strong emphasis on personal responsibility. Very few people will exploit the already narrow limits of what is permitted, for example when it comes to opening times. Mistake could jeopardize the entire winter season. It is a warning that Sölden, like Ischgl and other North Tyrolean towns, was under full quarantine for weeks in the spring - and longer than the other communities in Tyrol.

Positive test: Contact tracing of all accredited participants is possible via 30 scanning points in the race area. This means that any chains of infection can be quickly stopped and the event can continue. Positive cases are reported to authorities and result in 10 days of quarantine. What is checked is what contacts there were and how intensive they were. K1 contacts are also isolated. Distance and wearing a mask can protect you from this.

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Ski World Cup and Corona: This is how it should work in Sölden

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