Summer slumber on the racetrack? Not quite!
Even though the Corviglia is currently more popular with bikers, hikers, and cows, the racetracks are already being prepared for winter. We spoke with Sandro Künzler, race director of the St. Moritz Ski World Cup, about homologation, safety nets, and early bets on this year's winners.
The winter season ended about five months ago. What has happened on the slopes since then?
In mid-June, we cleaned the slopes in the Corviglia ski area together with over 80 volunteers. Maintenance work is also carried out during the summer – such as removing the anchor plates from the television towers, which are used to film the races in winter. We also continuously check the equipment and ensure that the timing and loudspeaker systems are working perfectly. In addition, the slope underwent re-homologation, and the annual site inspection with the FIS took place.
What is homologation and why was re-homologation necessary this year?
Homologation is the official technical certification process in alpine skiing that allows a slope to host FIS-authorized international races. According to FIS guidelines, speed slopes must be re-homologated every five years, and slopes for technical disciplines every ten years. The homologations of our speed tracks on the Corviglia expire this November – that's why we renewed them in the summer.