The races in Val Gardena/Gröden attracted a large audience this winter. In addition to numerous ski enthusiasts from South Tyrol, Italy and all over the world, well-known personalities like to come and experience the races on the Saslong. A special treat was given to the visitors of the Saslounge: they were able to experience the reactions of the best three athletes right after the they raced. The above picture shows Super-G winner Kjetil Jansrud bare minutes after his triumph.

Arno Kompatscher, local regional head of government, is always happy to meet some of his regional councilors, EU parliamentarian Herbert Dorfmann and a number of local politicians from Val Gardena/Gröden and its surrounding area. The International Ski Federation was represented by Technical Delegate Wilfried Dauber, a Bavarian from Berchtesgarden. The delegation of the Italian ski Association FISI was led by President Flavio Roda.

Not to be missed at the 49th edition of the Saslong were those who successfully competed on it in the past including current victory record holder Kristian Ghedina from Cortina won four times (1996, 1998, 1999 and 2001), 1970 World Champion in Val Gardena/Gröden and 1972 gold Bernhard Russi from Switzerland and Conradin Cathomen also from Switzerland who won in 1982. There were also many former ski racers who quit nostalgically reminisced their efforts on this course such as Kjetil Andre Aamodt, Armin Assinger, Massimiliano Blardone, Marco Büchel, Piero Gros, Maria Höfl Riesch, Hans Knauss, Benjamin Raich, and FIS Race Director Hannes Trinkl. South Tyrolean winter champions such as Gustav Thöni, Isolde Kostner, Denise Karbon, Karen Putzer, Peter Runggaldier and Werner Perathoner all were in attendance.

A special present was given to those in the Finish Stadium and the Saslounge, a dedicated fan-zone within the Finish Stadium, who participated and won in a special competition hosted by local sports retailer Sportler. They had the chance, amongst other stars, to meet former motorcycle racing champion Roberto Locatelli, who got the impression that ski racers are reaching the same speeds on two skis as he did on two wheels. In addition, the World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden was once again a meeting place for representatives of numerous corporate leaders and their guests. Main sponsors of the event included Audi, Longines, Jack Wolfskin, Bridgestone, Emmi, Generali, Infront, Rauch and Forst. The latter arrived with a special vehicle to the Saslounge, specifically a functioning “ape�, a motorized and formally very popular three-wheeler.

Also many other business representatives used the race to spend a special day with friends and partners. These included representatives of Alphouse Sterzing, Athesia, Bank Mediolanum, BOS Software, Brennercom, Calzedonia, Colmar, Duka, Edyna, Firstavenue, Head, Helvetia, Intercom Dr. Leitner, I-Exe, Kiku, Paulaner, Pirelli, Prinoth, Pro Winter, Protech, Robe di Kappa, Savers Scaffolding, SPM, Sportsman, South Tyrolean Sparkasse, VISA, X-Bionic and various hotels in the valley.

Last but not least, numerous representatives of the local authorities and the judiciary paid the races a visit along with members of various local and national institutions such as Dolomiti Superski, Eurac, EOS (the export organization of South Tyrol), hotel and restaurant association, IDM, Prowinter, SC Gröden, Sporthilfe , Val Gardena Val Gardena Gröden Marketing and VSS. The representatives of the World Cup Organizing Committee Madonna di Campiglio and other Club5 + members such as Alta Badia, Are, Cortina, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Kitzbuehel, Kranjska Gora, Schladming and current World Championship organizers St. Moritz come to exchange ideas for their own events.