Patrick Thorne
The Südtirol Gardenissima, described as “the most demanding Giant Slalom in the world”, is back after two missed winters thanks to the pandemic.
The race returns to the slopes of Val Gardena in Italy along with the Gardenissima Kids on 2nd and 3rd April 2022. Taking place against the breath-taking backdrop of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Südtirol Gardenissima, now in its 24th edition, features a 6-km (3.75 mile) long slalom course starting from Monte Seceda and ending at the Col Raiser cable car valley station. Up to 680 racers can take part.
The weekend kicks off on Saturday, 2 April 2022 with the longest Giant Slalom race in the world – the Südtirol Gardenissima, which features amateur ski racing enthusiasts, FIS athletes and Ski Legends from the past. Then on Sunday, 3 April 2022 with the Südtirol Gardenissima KIDS is dedicated to younger athletes. Both events
Athletes kick off two at a time within their category. The first kilometre is a parallel slalom which then turns into a giant slalom. The race starts at 7.30 am. Representatives of a National Team and those skiers who competed in the European Cup or the South American Cup in the 2020/21 or 2021/22 season will start individually, one every 30 seconds, on track A.
The men’s category features: National Team skiers or those skiers who competed in the European Cup in the 2020/21 or 2021/22, Junior, Seniors, master A, master B, and master C. The women’s category features: National Team skiers or those skiers who competed in the European Cup in the 2020/21 or 2021/22, Junior, Seniors, and master D. Skiers without FISI or FIS points have dedicated categories.
To register, skiers must pay their registration fee and send their medical certificate of sound health. Registrations will close once 680 skiers have signed up. Participants will receive a 50% discount on their Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi ski pass for one, two, or three days (Friday 1 April, Saturday 2 April, Sunday 3 April).
When registered, skiers can inspect the slope (only once and only upon presenting their race bib) but cannot ski through the gates. The Col Raiser and Seceda cable cars will open at 6 am.
Sunday 3 April and the Südtirol Gardenissima Kids is dedicated to younger skiers. The event starts at 9 am and the skiers of the future will tackle a somewhat demanding slalom on a breathtaking 2 km run from Monte Seceda to the Fermeda cable car valley station.
Like parallel slalom, there will be two starting gates. At the start, they will compete on a giant parallel slalom route which then becomes a single giant slalom route.
The categories are Superbaby, Baby, Cuccioli, and Ragazzi.
The young skiers will receive amazing prizes during the exciting Südtirol Gardenissima Kids official award ceremony.
