The 1987 Ski World Cup in Crans-Montana is legendary. 14 of the possible 30 medals went to Switzerland. Pirmin Zurbriggen, Peter Müller, Maria Walliser, Erika Hess and Vreni Schneider transformed the Valais high plateau into a festival hut. 40 years later there will be another party at the same location. Crans-Montana is the top candidate for the 2027 World Cup.
While Narvik (No) and Soldeu (And) bake small rolls, Garmisch-Partenkirchen (De) should be the only real opponent. “We may be the favorites, but we won’t be arrogant. On the contrary, we are doing everything we can to get the approval in May 2022, ”says Hugo Steinegger.
1.2 million and 3600 meters in length
These are not empty phrases. The OK Vice President of the World Cup races and his team are doing everything they can to get the 2027 World Cup to Crans-Montana. European Cup races have been held for many years, although they are not lucrative. You are investing in the infrastructure, building a new and multifunctional finish stadium and new access routes. And recently excavators in the start area of the “Piste Nationale” leave no stone unturned – where the men are supposed to descend in a good five years.
«We want the World Cup, so we need a good men’s downhill run. The start is offset to the side, for this we fill a compression, among other things. Everything is being modernized, ”says Steinegger. Cost: 1.2 million francs. The runway will be 3600 meters long and the travel time should be around 2:10 minutes.
FIS very satisfied with Crans-Montana
So Crans-Montana is digging for the Ski World Cup 2027. Apparently with success. Most recently, FIS Race Director Hannes Trinkl was on site. «He thought it was great and compared the route to the one in Beaver Creek. So it is not only spectacular, but also very demanding, ”says Steinegger.
The stadium at the finish should offer space for 15,000 spectators, the women’s speed course “Mont-Lachaux” leads to the same arena as the technical competitions. On the route, you calculate with up to 7,000 fans – sometimes in grandstands. Will it come to that? On May 26, 2022, the 16 participants of the FIS Council will decide on the awarding of the World Championships.