Obereggen: countdown to the 40th European Cup
Obereggen: countdown to the 40th European Cup
It's now in its 40th year (1983-2023) the European Cup in Obereggen, the South Tyrolean heart 20 minutes from Bolzano of the Ski Center Latemar ski area, which will open the winter season Friday, Nov. 24 at night (7 p.m.), the first Dolomiti Superski area. The Obereggen slalom, the oldest slalom on the international European Cup circuit, è was presented on a beautiful autumn day in Bolzano’s Mareccio Castle. The slalom will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 19 (first run 10 a.m., second run 1 p.m.), for the seventh year in a row on the Maierl slope (maximum slope gradient of 55 percent, difference in altitude of 433 meters, length of 1.6 kilometers).
The slalom in Obereggen on Tuesday, Dec. 19, will constitute, in light of the World Cup calendar, a must-see event to consolidate or rather refine the form, on a selective slope such as the Maierl, in view of the subsequent rainbow events. Starting with the World Cup slalom par excellence: the one in Madonna di Campiglio, this year scheduled for Friday, December 22, which punctually in every edition sees some skiers competing in Obereggen in the top 15. During the presentation, plaques of recognition were awarded to Alois Braun, Siegfried Gallmetzer, Luciano Pezzin, Siegfried Pichler, Peppi Staffler, founders of the European Cup with the late Bruno Fusmini, as well as Anton Herbst, Josef Pichler, Karl Pichler, Harald Anegg, Martina Hofer, Maurizio Odorizzi, Marco Zendron, Paolo Guerra, Josef Gummerer for their constant commitment to the organization of the international competition.
Present, among others, Alex Giorgi, second in the Super G on the historic Oberholz slope, first edition of the European Cup in’then 1983 behind Egon Hirt (Federal Republic of Germany). Roberto Grigis in slalom was the first Italian to win in Obereggen in 1988. Skiers who would go on to become World Cup champions competed in this competition. Four names out of all: Alberto Tomba third in Super G in 1986; Marcel Hirscher third in slalom in 2007; Giuliano Razzoli, winner in slalom in 2009, six weeks graduated; Olympic champion on the Canadian snows of Vancouver also in slalom. "Once again this year we will prepare the slope in the best possible way thanks to the determination of the volunteers who, with so much passion, participate in the preparation of the slalom.
Most of them are part of the organizing committee" pointed out Eduard Pichler president of the race organizing committee in cooperation with the Obereggen Latemar Spa lift company, the Ega Ski Club, the Obereggen Ski and Snowboard School chaired by Thomas Prinoth and the Asv Nova Ponente while the Ase Catinaccio has contributed until 2021. "We would like to thank all volunteers" continued Eduard Pichler "the municipality of Nova Ponente, the district council of Ega, the Consortium Val d Ega-Eggental Tourism, and the police forces who, on the slopes of Obereggen, perform an egregious security service". "The snowfalls in the first part of November will allow the opening of the winter season on Friday, Nov. 24 at night, so our employees will know how to prepare the slope as every edition for the big day, Tuesday, Dec. 19" explained Siegfried Pichler, president of the company; Obereggen Latemar Spa facilities in the presence of, among others, former diving Olympian Giorgio Cagnotto, Nova Ponente mayor Bernard Daum, president of the Fisi South Tyrol Committee Markus Ortler, and Bolzano Municipality sports councillor Juri Andriollo.
Vice president of the organizing committee Simon Neulichedl during the presentation coordinated by journalist Alex Tabarelli, in the presence of Benjamin Kirchmaier, managing director of Obereggen Latemar Spa highlighted: "It has been 40 years that the committee has organized this event in memory of the late brothers Karl and Peter Pichler". The presentation of the European Cup officially opened the season in Obereggen, which will open its first lift on Friday, November 24 at night on the illuminated slope: the first ski area to open in the Dolomiti Superski. On the same evening, the apr’s-ski LOOX – The Alpine Club near the valley station of the Oberholz slope will open its doors. On Saturday, Nov. 25, all other Obereggen lifts will open, as well as those of its sister resort in Trentino, Pampeago, while on Dec. 2, with the opening of the Predazzo resort in Trentino, the opening of the entire Ski Center Latemar will be completed. In which è it will be possible, always on skis, to go from’Alto Adige to Trentino and vice versa.
Not only that. Obereggen will offer several new features. Starting with the Skimovie on the Toler slope: skiers will be able to test their skills, free of charge, in an exciting parallel slalom, open from November 25 to April 7, 2024. Two cameras will film the race along the 200-meter slalom: at the end, skiers will receive the time taken in the slalom and a video of the descent that they can download for free and share with friends.
The Oberholz hut can also be reached by chairlift at night thanks to the lighting system built this year by the Obereggen Latemar Spa lift company. Waiting for guests will be a “aperitivo lungo” at an altitude of 2096 meters above sea level, observing from the hut’s large windows the night sky at the foot of the Dolomites. The chairlift will go up from 6 p.m. with last return at 11:30 p.m. The dates of the Long Aperitif at the Oberholz Refuge: Friday, Dec. 29 and, in 2024, Fridays, Jan. 5, 19, 9, Feb. 23, March 8 and 29.
