Lauberhorn Cancelled
The Canton of Bern’s Health and Business Administration has decided to withdraw the permit for the Lauberhorn races in consultation with the Wengen OC, Swiss-Ski and the people responsible for the Ski World Cup. It was determined by the Bern Authorities, after a detailed evaluation, that it would not be possible to take all precautions so that the athletes and the support teams can be adequately protected in separate zones.
"We are very disappointed not to be able to race the Lauberhornrennen, one of the big Downhill and Slalom classics. However, the health and safety of the athletes is always our number one priority and we fully suppport this decision." said Markus Waldner, Chief Race Director of the Men's Alpine World Cup.
The races have been rescheduled to Kitzbuhel as follows.
Official arrival day: Friday, 15.01.2021
- Slalom (ex Wengen): Saturday, 16.01.2021 (starting time tbc)
- Hahnenkamm Slalom: Sunday, 17.01.2021 at 10:15 / 13:15 (LOC)
Official arrival day: Monday, 18.01.2021
- Downhill Training 1: Tuesday, 19.01.2021
- Downhill Training 2: Wednesday, 13.01.2021
- Downhill Trianing 3: Thursday, 14.01.2021
- Downhill (replacing Wengen): Friday, 22.01.2021 at 11:30 (LOC)
- Hahnenkamm Downhill: Saturday, 23.01.2021 at 11:30 (LOC)
- Hahnenkamm Super-G: Sunday, 24.02.2021 (starting time tbc)
The canton is concerned about the dynamics in which the virus is spreading. Based on this fact, the Directorate of Health assumes that the virus mutation from Great Britain in particular leads to this effect.
In consultation with the OC, Swiss-Ski and those in charge of the Ski World Cup, the health and economic management have decided to withdraw the permit for the Lauberhorn races. This is also because after a detailed evaluation of the special measures announced yesterday it will not be possible to take all precautions so that the athletes and the support teams can be adequately protected in separate zones.
In Wengen, the virus has spread very quickly since mid-December. In just four weeks, over 60 cases were reported within the Wengen population, after almost no cases before.
The health department will continuously review and implement further measures to protect the population and holiday guests. As a first measure, mobile test teams will be sent to Wengen to increase the test capacities for the population.
The people of Wengen are asked to stay at home whenever possible and to avoid contacts outside their own household. If this is not possible, the hygiene measures, distance rules and the obligation to wear a mask must be strictly observed. If the slightest symptoms occur, a test should be carried out, as well as in contact with people who have tested positive for the corona virus. The same measures also apply to tourists and guests staying in hotels or other holiday accommodations.
