A cross-border ski race; that has never happened before. The World Cup races in Zermatt/Cervinia will take place on 11/12 November and 18/19 November 2023. On the programme for the first weekend are two men's downhill runs and on the second weekend the two women's downhill runs.

The races on the Matterhorn would be the first cross-border event in the history of the World Cup – starting and finishing in different countries. The men's downhill race would start at Gobba di Rollin (3,899 m) in Switzerland, with the finish line at Laghi Cime Bianche (2,814 m) in Italy – making it the highest descent in the world. Designer of the descent is Didier Défago, 2010 Olympic downhill champion.

"The two tourist destinations of Zermatt and Cervinia have been operating a joint ski area for many years. This project brings us even closer together: a sporting event like this is something unique and fantastic for Switzerland as well as for Italy. The close cross-border cooperation shows the additional opportunities that exist in the Matterhorn region for both countries," says Herbert Tovagliari, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cervino SpA.

Franz Julen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zermatt Bergbahnen AG, highlights the planned organisational approach and the region's snow reliability: "No other place can host speed races so early in a World Cup season as the Matterhorn glacier in the border region between Italy and Switzerland. The necessary infrastructure already exists to a large extent, which makes this event an excellent example of sustainability. Collaboration with the two national associations is very constructive and the organisational approach that has been envisaged is as innovative and visionary as the whole project."

FISI and Swiss-Ski are confident that speed World Cup races for women and men in the Matterhorn region will be included in the FIS long term calendar as soon as possible.

source: Zermatt Tourismus

photo: Christian Schartner