Zermatt night cross-country skiing

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The Zermatt night cross-country skiing event was a 10 km cross-country skiing race in the streets of Zermatt . It was carried out eight times between 1981 and 1989. In the 1980s, cross-country skiing was very popular in Switzerland thanks to good runners. Because cross-country skiing races were organized at various locations in the center of the village in Switzerland, the Zermatt cross-country skiing group took up the idea and held the night race for the first time on January 21, 1981.

Route and story

The route led from Obere Matten via Bahnhofstrasse, church, Hotel Julen, Biner bakery, wooden bridge at Haus Kumme, Getwingbrücke, Getwingstrasse and GGB depot back to Obere Matten. The course was 2.5 kilometers long and had to be covered four times. The streets were closed to all traffic and pedestrians from 4 p.m. With trucks and electric vehicles the snow came on the road and at 18.00 began the preparation of the trail . The start was finally at 8.30 p.m. Where the street lighting was insufficient, the route was also lit with torches . This gave a very unusual ambience.

The race was very well received by guests and locals and it was decided to hold this event every January. The race took place annually until 1987. After the 7th edition in January 1987, the critical voices increased. The town of Zermatt had grown significantly in the meantime, and electric vehicle traffic had increased significantly. In addition, there was less and less a so-called “January hole” without special events or high numbers of tourists. So it was very busy practically throughout the winter season in the world health resort of Zermatt. For these reasons, the opinion that the streets should not be closed for a few hours became louder and louder. In the end, a compromise was made: the race should only take place every two years and the circuit was shortened. There was therefore no race in 1988. In December 1988, two electric bus routes (Bergbahnen and Winkelmatten lines) were created in Zermatt to meet the increased needs of guests. This was an asset to the place; for the Zermatt night cross-country race, however, it should be the end. In January 1989 the Zermatt night cross-country race took place for the 8th time. The resulting complete discontinuation of the bus routes caused great annoyance among guests and locals. It was therefore decided not to hold the race in the future. Thus, the 1989 edition was the eighth and last.

Spectators and media

The event was one of the largest sporting events in the canton of Valais . At the first edition in January 1981 around 3,000 spectators watched the race. The number of viewers increased from year to year. At the last edition in 1989, a total of 5,000 spectators followed the nocturnal spectacle. The Walliser Bote , the regional newspaper of the German-speaking Valais, reported on the first edition in 1981 as follows: “Great atmosphere last night in the top Valais spa town of Zermatt. The night cross-country run right through the streets of the station was a great success. The field of participants was followed on the trail in front of around 3000 spectators and loudly supported. The ambiance was really unique and allowed the runners to perform that did justice to the great effort of the organizers. In the streets, some of which were lit with torches, wonderful running duels could be seen in all categories. After an exciting competition, Konrad Hallenbarter from Upper Summer was able to register as the first big winner. "

Field of participants

Runners from the following nations started: Germany, Finland, Italy, United States, France and Switzerland. The entire Swiss national team competed. The following well-known athletes took part: Jochen Behle (Germany), Giorgio Vanzetta (Italy), Konrad Hallenbarter (Switzerland), Giuseppe Ploner (Italy), Dan Simoneau (USA), Andy Grünenfelder (Switzerland), Giachem Guidon (Switzerland) , Joos Ambühl (Switzerland), Evi Kratzer (Switzerland), Karin Thomas (Switzerland). The Swiss Konrad Hallenbarter won six of the eight events (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1989).

literature

  • Klaus Julen, Pino Mazzone: 100 years of the Zermatt Ski Club. 1908 - 2008. A hundred-year success story . Published by the Zermatt Ski Club. VALMEDIA AG, Visp / Naters / Sion 2008.