1st Summit Meeting of Race Slope Managers

At the invitation of Sölden and the FIS, 15 race slope responsible and race directors from ten European Ski World Cup organizers met last weekend. The experts exchanged views and ideas in a relaxed atmosphere,.

What is a perfect race track? What means are necessary? Which work steps are effective and when? Patrik Riml, an experienced and successful coach, presented the program. On Saturday, there was an exchange of experience that lasted several hours. On Sunday, a practice-oriented meeting took place at Rettenbach Glacier with Isi Grüner, the race slope manager in Sölden. First he explained his experiences and procedures in the currently difficult conditions. Then he introduced the 14-meter-wide spray bar which he had developed together with the employees of Bergbahnen Sölden mountain lifts. In conclusion, Rainer Gstrein - race director in Sölden - handed over his comprehensive diploma thesis: "Modern Slope Preparation and Safety Measures."

In the joint communiqué, the race slope chiefs noted the following points, which - in their opinion - make up a good race slope and smoothly running work on the piste:

•    A well-attuned team with very good, experienced people reduces the time required for work.
•    The preparation approach is very different in each location for diverse reasons.
•    Most ski resorts rely more and more on engine power, which is made up of very different vehicles. Slope grooming machines with various top parts, light caterpillar-like quads with snowplow, Metrac with special constructions which are in part manufactured according to own ideas and requirements on the spot.
•    It is agreed that a solid 50 cm high foundation should be created as early as possible - a couple of months in advance - on which the detailed preparation is made about 14 days before the race starts.
•    The new GPS-equipped snow groomers help enormously.
•    Snow depots from the previous season are a very suitable method - even in warm weather - to secure a race. We must focus even more on this in the future.
•    Skiing on the race slope on the day before the race should be reconsidered.
•    It has been noted that the cooperation with FIS is closer than it was 5-10 years ago and that the safety culture of FIS race directors has become much more practical than it was years ago.
•    A big ambition of all slope managers is that there should be a uniform language and regulation for the slope conditions to be created. Disregarding snow density or the index "Kg per cubic meter of snow". Icy race track or compact track? Piste groomers, athletes and coaches are not happy with very icy race tracks. The fact is that you should try to create the same condition from start to finish on the slope, then the racers can adapt to it, no matter if it is an icy track or a compact hard slope.

This first summit meeting of the race slope managers will be repeated and further developed in the coming years. Sölden will organize the next meeting again, later it will be held at various World Cup venues.

The participating organizers and slope managers:
Holmenkollen:  NOR Erich Blattmann
Kronplatz: ITA Klaus Kastlunger
Kranjska Gora: KRO Aleš Vidic
Wengen Lauberhorn: SUI René Zurfluh
Kitzbühel: AUT Mario Weinhandel (new race director), Stefan Lindner, Christian Schroll
Alta Badia: ITA René Pitscheider
Garmisch: GER Mike Bräu and Christoph Klotz
Madonna di Campiglio: ITA Fabio Franchini and Luca
Sölden: AUT Isi Grüner, Patrik Riml, Rainer Gstrein