The Nucia turn was the last still missing piece on a now completely modernized and widened Saslong. While the part from the Nucia turn to the Finish had been broadened and made safer 15 years ago, the turn itself which sets the entry into the Finish Schuss was still on the original stretch of 1968 up until three weeks ago. After today's completion of the works, it is now spread out and made safer with a six to eight meter high wall of reinforced dirt.

The adjustment of the Nucia turn serves not only as a safety measure for the athletes, but also provides more scope for course setting: "The expansion and stabilization of this section allows us to have a more generous course, away from the fall line," explains FIS Race Director Markus Waldner, who took a picture of the "new" Saslong during a visit a few days ago.

During the course of the work, the so-called Canalino section was filled with approximately 1800 cubic meters of dirt. "We were able to install additional snow machines in the Canalino," said Race Director Rainer Senoner. "Now we can employ even more snow-making equipment to ensure snow safety". Additional camera positions have been identified at the Final Schuss thanks to the wider nature of the course in that section. The TV broadcast from the widened Sassing is expected to be even more spectacular this year. 

The fact that this work on the Saslong could be completed is due in part to the lift company Saslong AG, which is bearing the costs and also to the landowners who have agreed to the changes. Thanks to these works accomplished over the last few years, the Saslong is once again one of the most modern and safest, and still most diverse and spectacular downhill runs in the entire World Cup circuit. And this has an impact on the entire valley, as FIS racing director Waldner confirms: "The fact that Val Gardena/Gröden has become famous as a tourist destination is also due to the World Cup race and the steady investment in the Saslong."