Saslong – ski celebrity

For the first time, the World Cup races in Val Garden took place in 1969 – then there were two stages, male (on the Saslong highway) and female (on the CIR highway). Inappropriate, a hot controversy broke out around the male high-speed sloping track – many experts of those years did not accept the concept of Saslong. For example, the Austrian skier Karl Schrantz refused to start, considering that the track is too light (by the way, the Schrantz developed the highest speed on it).

• Downhill

Indeed – before the appearance of a descent in Val Gardena in skiing, a completely different concept was dominant – at least the control gates, but the maximum of bugrov and pits. In order to win, it was necessary to choose the most direct trajectory of the descent and risk, risk, risk. To understand what it is about, it is enough to see the footage of a sports chronicle of those years. With the advent of Saslong’s highway, everything has changed: the athletes did not fly into the rocks, did not break the legs in an attempt to overcome the series of yams and Bugrov – the FIS guide (the International Federation of Ski Sports) required a greater security and put the descent technique, and not an extreme risk. Gradually, after the track in Val Garden, others began to change "Classic" Descents – in Swiss Vengen, Austrian Kitzbühel and Italian Cortina d’Ampezzo. They were simply set before the choice – or follow a new concept, or. Get a refusal to certify racing. "Classics" skiing still "the best of the best" – Lauberhorhorin in Wengen is the most definite, Strefer in the Kitz is the most technically difficult, but the Saslong track is still considered the fastest. The average speed on this descent is 111,600 km / h, whereas in Kitzbühela it is equal to 90.720 km / h, in Wengen – 84,250 km / h, in Cortina – 90.360 km / h.

Of course, for more than 40 years, the track in Val Gardena has changed. She became wider, here numerous security systems appeared here, a special system of artificial lightness, it is not possible to cope only with one problem – weather. Precisely because of a strong wind last season I had to cancel the results of the competition on high-speed descent. And the wind constantly changed the direction – he either interfered with athletes, or helped them. So, three skiers from France, which started from 8 to 10 rooms, unexpectedly showed a very good result – the direction of the wind has changed once again, the wind blew them in the back. In the end, by the decision of the sports director FIS, the race was stopped.

• Saslong – At night

What is now a Saslong highway track?

The start is on Mount Ciampinoi, not far from the top of the cable car station on the openness of 2249 m above sea level, the finish – in the village of Santa Cristina at 1410 m. The length of the track is 3446 m with a height of 839 m, the maximum bias – 56.9%. The upper area is located on a spacious flame slope – probably, it is one of the simplest and safest segments of Saslong. Then, on the border of the forest, the track makes a sharp decline – it is here that the coolest plot of Kleine Mauer is located (Small Wall). Athletes make a big jump here, which ends on Grosse Mauer (Big Wall). In about the middle of the ski routes, the most famous obstacle on Saslong, Kamelbuckel (camel hump) – a series of three bugs, which experienced athletes overcome by air. Even a jump through the camel hump wears its name – a jumper kangaroo. For the first time, such a jump committed Austrian Uli Spes in 1980 – the flight turned out to be 70 meters long and a height above the surface of the track of about 10 meters. After the twist, the same thing repeated Mark Girardelli from Luxembourg, now the camel hump over the air overcomes all the best skiers of the world.

Another complex part of the track begins immediately after landing from the hump – Ciaslat Wiese, a series of 4 turns and numerous irregularities. Last sophisticated plot of Saslong – Finish decline, with flight in the target of the finish gate.

The track feature is still the fact that athletes with distant start numbers, t.E. not among the world elite, have a good chance of a prize place. For example, in 1993, a real sensation was the victory of an unknown skier from Liechtenstein Marcus Fozer. The fact is that the start of the second half of the riders because of the top of the Saslong mountain appeared the sun and illuminated the top of the track. The snow was becoming more slippery, which gave some benefits for young athletes. The chances were equalized when the start time was moved to an earlier morning.

• International competitions

Usually those who want to see competitions, and at the same time and ride on the tracks of Val Gardenna, come here in advance. Special for such lovers of skiing acts.N. "World Cup Package" Fis Ski World Cup Dolomiti Classics – Special Offer, including 3-day accommodation, 3-day Dolomiti SuperSki Skipas, Ticket for Competitions, as well as special "Seth for fans". Package price – from 231 euros. For more advanced, there is a pack of FIS Ski World Cup Dolomiti Classics VIP, which, besides the package features "Classic", Allows you to visit Saslounge Feel Free – room for VIP guests, as well as see the competition from the stands for the audience.