Luckily, this is a pure formality this year: In today's snow control, the FIS has confirmed the World Cup races on the Saslong. Friday, December 15th, is the Super-G followed by the Downhill the day after.

Get excited by the world's best skiers jumping more than 80 meters right next to the Camel Humps, the most spectacular section of the Saslong track. No other spot conveys the impressive speed of the track and the unique emotions triggered by it. The Camel Hump First Village will cater to you with its local delicacies in addition to a glass of FORST beer, games and other surprises.

Val Gardena/Gröden will host the FIS Ski World Cup for the 50th time this December. The anniversary celebrations already started more than three months before. World Cup racers and race organizers of different generations as well as numerous ski fans relieved the memories of the last half century.

For the fiftieth time, the World Cup ski race will be held on the Saslong this December. This is a good reason to celebrate for Val Gardena/Gröden next Saturday, September 2nd in St. Christina. Peter Fill and the Italian national downhill team will be there as will be two camels.

On September 2, the anniversary celebration will begin in St.Christina and on December 15 and 16 it will be time to celebrate the anniversary race on the Saslong. Tickets for the Super-G and the Downhill are available now.

Saslong 2016: Max Franz was unexpectedly crowned the Downhill hero and Kjetil Jansrud confirmed the Norwegian domination in the Super-G. The World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden delivered once again an exceptionally well prepared race course and a smooth performance for 11,000 spectators. 

The Austrian Max Franz surprisingly won the World Cup Downhill on the Saslong. The 27-year old clocked a time of 1:56.60 winning by only 4/100 ahead of last year’s winner Aksel Lund Svindal and thus celebrating his first ever World Cup victory. Third was the American and Saslong specialist Steven Nyman (+0.41).

He is a welcome guest at the races on the Saslong and would be thrilled with a victory of one of our local athletes. In the following interview, President of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-South Tyrol Arno Kompatscher speaks about the significance of the Ski World Cup for South Tyrol.

Unbelievable: the Super-G on the Saslong remains a matter for Norway. Two “elks� are at the top after a triple win last year. Kjetil Jansrud won in 1.31:93 just 6/100 ahead of Alexander Kilde. Third was Saslong specialist Erik Guay from Canada (+0.13).

Since the beginning of this season, bib numbers in the Downhill and Super-G are assigned in a new way. The change should boost TV appeal. However, opinions on the subject clearly differ.

The second training session took place on the Saslong today in excellent conditions. The day’s fastest time was clocked by Kjetil Jansrud from Noway in 1.57:83, just ahead of USA Saslong specialist Steven Nyman (+0.05) and Austrian Max Franz (+0.12).

Last year, he was at the top of the leaderboard for a long time. At the end, he missed the podium by 26/100 but scored important points towards his biggest achievement thus far, winning the Downhill World Cup. Peter Fill is from Castelrotto/Kastelruth in South Tyrol, Italy and spoke with www.saslong.org about his turbulent last year and his goals for the new season.

Matthias Mayer clocks the best time in Wednesday's training after a bad crash last year. The Austrian left the competition behind with 1.58:16. He was closely followed by Swiss Carlo Janka (+0.15) and local favorite Peter Fill (+0.41).

Today’s team captains’ meeting was short and painless. FIS expressed praise for the organizers and confirmed that the green color addition did its job. Hannes Reichelt will kick off tomorrow’s training run again.

For years and more precisely since 2001, a striking fall line led racers of Downhill and Super-G races from Start to Finish. This line which is made of food color is now integrated with a second line distinguishable by color.

Ski World Cup: Super-G and Downhill on Friday and Saturday broadcast in 80 countries - There’re Still Tickets.
This Friday and Saturday 300 journalists and 15 live broadcasting TV stations ensure that Val Gardena/Gröden is at the center of the world’s attention - the skiing world at least. For the first time, the world’s largest TV broadcaster CNN is joining and the races will also be shown in China. There are still tickets for those who want to experience this adventure up-close!

The FIS and all the participating nations have arrived in Val Gardena/Gröden! This evening, the first Team Captains’ Meeting took place in Selva/Wolkenstein and everybody is looking forward to the races on the Saslong.

How do past Winners view the Saslong? 

“I was totally ruled by fear. It was the uncertainty as to whether I would make it, or, instead, have to collect my bones in a yard sale.� (Uli Spieß on the first to jump over the Camel Humps)

Comments on one of the most famous racing tracks in the world

“Winning in Val Gardena/Gröden twice is indescribable. The secret is to pick up speed and to keep it. I like to go there because the audience raises the mood and likes us Norwegians.� (Aksel Lund Svindal, Winner Super-G & Downhill 2015)