Zermatt
“Simply wrong” – those responsible complained after construction was halted
The skiing stars are scheduled to compete in a World Cup race for the first time in Zermatt/Cervinia in mid-November. But parts of the slope are outside the permitted zone. After the work stopped, those responsible are now speaking out.
Updated19. October 2023, 11:34 pm
Skiing stars are expected to compete for the best times here in a few weeks.
20min/Sébastien Anex
Recently, excavators have been working on the glacier, but now some of the work has had to be stopped.
20min/Sébastien Anex
A year ago the show had to be canceled due to lack of snow.
20min/Sébastien Anex
Several World Cup ski races are scheduled to take place near Zermatt/Cervinia in mid-November.
However, parts of the World Cup slope are outside the permitted zone.
The work was partially interrupted.
Those responsible in Zermatt deny mistakes.
In 2022, the double descents in Zermatt/Cervinia, advertised as a great spectacle, had to be canceled due to lack of snow. And this year? In contrast to last year, race dates were postponed by two weeks. The two men’s descents are scheduled for November 11th and 12th, and the women’s descents a week later. But the entire spectacle is still uncertain.
Parts of the World Cup slope cannot continue onto Theodul Glacier. You are probably outside the permitted zone. This is demonstrated by the new “20 minutes” discoveries. In particular, the start of the women’s race is 80 meters outside the permitted zone. The men’s route also did not comply with the rules. On Tuesday, the head of the Zermatt OC, Franz Julen, denied any allegations against 20 Minutes. Now that the Valais building commission has intervened and demanded that all unauthorized work be stopped immediately, Julen and his team speak out again.
Those responsible reject accusations
Those responsible in Zermatt told 20 Minuten that they were still convinced that no work had been carried out outside the ski sports zone. “Once the works in the ski sports area have been completed, the decision of the cantonal building committee (KBK) only has a legal warning effect.” They also say: “It goes without saying that all necessary approvals were obtained from the authorities and associations of both countries to hold these races.”
The environmental associations that requested the work to be stopped, namely WWF, Pro Natura and Mountain Wilderness Switzerland, are harshly criticized by those responsible. They speak of “false assumptions” and: “The plaintiffs accuse the local organizing committee of making technical snow on the glacier on the Swiss side. This is simply wrong. The same applies to the claim that the ski slope is outside the ski sports zone.
Training takes place
Julen says: “We are still convinced that everything is legal. The racecourse preparation has been completed on the Swiss side in the ski sports zone and is ready for racing. As a result, racing is not in danger.” You have nothing to hide. “The local organizing committee hopes this local show will take place as quickly as possible so that there is clarity.”
Training sessions planned ahead of the World Cup races will begin as scheduled from next Sunday. These trainings take place on existing tourist slopes that are not affected by current zoning discussions.
A photo of excavators working on the glacier.
20min/Sébastien Anex
However, the work has already been stopped.
20min/Sébastien Anex
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