Snow Control positive: the Stelvio is ready for the World Cup stage in Bormio
Green light from FIS after snowpack check at Stelvio, which will host the world’s top sprinters in the men’s classic post-Christmas men’s alpine skiing event on December 28-29
The most eagerly awaited yes has arrived: the Snow Control carried out by the FIS (International Ski Federation) in Bormio on December 18 was positive, confirming that the Stelvio is once again ready to become the stage for the challenge between the world’s best skiers. The white circus spectacle will take place in the La Scala Theater of alpine skiing on December 28 with the Downhill and on December 29 with the Super-G, for what will also be the debut in the director’s booth for the new organizational team of Bormio Foundation.
While the sprinters will be warming up their engines in Val Gardena over the weekend of December 20 and 21, it will also be time for final preparations on the Stelvio to show itself at its best to fans on the track and around the world, thanks to the cameras of Infront, which will be in charge of producing and distributing worldwide the images of one of the most anticipated World Cup weekends for ski fans.
“These have been days of intense work, and more await us between now and Christmas, but the outcome of the Snow Control repays us for our efforts, and launches us towards another edition of our event that we hope will be as spectacular as ever,” explains Omar Galli, race director of Bormio. “Due thanks go to the entire technical team, the great organizational team and the network of the territory that will once again allow us to take the name and images of Bormio around the world thanks to the World Cup.”
Given the absence of Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde following his serious injury in Wengen in both Downhill and Super-G, a new clash is on the horizon between Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt and France’s Cyprien Sarrazin, who have already given a first taste in the opening of the speed season. The former has not yet managed to dominate the Stelvio in Downhill but has in his palmares two victories in Super-G, the latter, on the other hand, on the snows of Bormio found last season his first victory in the fast discipline par excellence and aims to annoy his opponent.
For sure, the recordman of successes remains-and will always remain him, the “king of Bormio”: Dominik Paris, honorary citizen of the town and spearhead of the Italian national team, has dominated the iconic Stelvio six times in Downhill and once in Super-G, and he doesn’t seem at all intent on stopping here. Along with him, young Giovanni Franzoni, fresh off a fourth-place finish on the American snows of Beaver Creek, will try to confirm his excellent form and grab his first World Cup podium. Pietro Zazzi, Mattia Casse, Florian Schieder, Benjamin Jacques Alliod and Nicolò Molteni will also certainly not back down in front of the home crowd.
The long weekend of the Ski World Cup in Bormio will begin on Thursday, December 26, when the gates will open for the first timed tests, which will continue on Friday, December 27. On the same day, from 6 p.m., fans and athletes will gather in Piazza Cavour for thebib draw. On December 28, the ski aces will cross the gates of the Stelvio at great speed in the Downhill, preceded and followed by the musical entertainment of Andrea Casta, one of the most famous electric crossover violinists, and the traditional Vitalini Speed Contest, dedicated to young athletes who would like to try the track of the great champions. To conclude, December 29 will be Super-G time, and, once again, lots of music and entertainment.
Bormio (SO), December 18, 2024
