The Südtirol Gardenissima, which claims to be the most demanding Giant Slalom in the world, is back. It returns to the slopes for the 24th time, along with the Gardenissima Kids race, on 2 and 3 April 2022.
Both events take place in the Italian ski area of Val Gardena against a backdrop of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The first of the two Südtirol Gardenissima held over the weekend is open to ski enthusiasts, and FIS athletes who will also be racing against Ski Legends from the past.
The weekend kicks off on Saturday, 2 April with the longest Giant Slalom in the world – the Südtirol Gardenissima – and continues on Sunday, 3 April with the Südtirol Gardenissima Kids dedicated to younger athletes.
The Südtirol Gardenissima is a 6km slalom starting from Monte Seceda and ending at the Col Raiser cable car valley station.
Athletes race two at a time within their category. The first kilometre is a parallel slalom which then turns into a giant slalom. Racing gets underway at 7.30am. 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. Italian participants must have a FISI card. 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.
The Südtirol Gardenissima Kids event starts at 9am and the skiers will race on a 2km run from Monte Seceda to the Fermeda cable car valley station. The categories are Superbaby, Baby, Cuccioli, and Ragazzi.
For more info and to register, visit www.gardenissima.eu