This is what the World Cup downhill on the Matterhorn in Zermatt should look like

The Ski World Cup is supposed to get a new record race: the winter after next, the downhill stars on the Matterhorn could thunder down on the longest and highest descent in the world – on the first World Cup route ever, which connects two countries.

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The plan: from the Gobba di Rollin above the Klein Matterhorn at 3899 meters above sea level, it should go down to Laghi Cime Bianchi, around three kilometers of the five-kilometer piste are on Italian soil, two on Swiss territory, on around three quarters the route goes over glacial ice.

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One of the brains behind the project is Franz Julen. The 61-year-old is very familiar with skiing: he was a serviceman, journalist, sports marketer, four years ago he quit after 17 years as CEO of Intersport. Today he is President of the Zermatt Bergbahnen and enthusiastic about the plan that the Italians made from Cervinia, the ski area that is connected to Zermatt. “When CEO Markus Hasler and I heard about it for the first time at the end of November, we knew within two seconds: that’s the idea,” he says.

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“Can’t compete with Wengen anyway”

For a long time, Zermatt had always been offered as a possible World Cup venue. Also from Swiss-Ski, for example when it came to putting pressure on the organizers of the Lauberhorn races in Wengen. “It was never a realistic scenario,” says Julen. «It was good marketing for us, nothing more. In January and February we have no capacity for a World Cup race, then Zermatt is full of tourists. And we can’t compete with Wengen anyway, Wengen is untouchable. Every sport lives from tradition. Wengen is in skiing what Roland Garros or Wimbledon are in tennis. We cannot offer that at all. »

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In November, on the other hand, due to the altitude, only the Matterhorn could be used for a descent, then the hotel beds in the village are free and the space in the racing calendar is also free. Julen: «There are only winners with this concept. Skiing gets a race with a grandiose backdrop and at a time when nothing is running and the winter season can be started early. And Zermatt can show its best side. »

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Secure crevasses and create fall spaces

All the important players on board were on site, FIS man Gian-Franco Kasper and Swiss Ski President Urs Lehmann were immediately enthusiastic. “Skiing needs new ideas, new impulses, it needs innovation,” says Julen. «That’s where we come in. Especially since we are environmentally friendly: we do not have to clear forests and do not have to move any terrain for the route. All we have to do is secure the crevasses and create fall spaces. »

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Nobody competes during this time. «And we don’t see ourselves as pioneers for everyone else. Basically, I think that skiing is part of the people and the target areas in the villages. I plead against all races taking place in higher regions. »

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The Wengen concept has therefore not had its day for Julen. The Valais sees the gossip in the Bernese Oberland calmly. “They’ll find a solution,” he is convinced. «There is too much at stake. Now someone just has to mediate. A ski winter without Wengen will not be allowed. »

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