New Audi Lounge Adds To Range Of Hospitality Areas Available At Alta Badia World Cup
Less than two months to go until the traditional men's skiing races, when athletes will be battling it out on the Gran Risa slope as part of the Alpine Ski World Cup. The best international athletes will be competing on 22nd December, on the Giant Slalom, and on 23rd December on the night-time Parallel Giant Slalom.
The hospitality programme to accompany the races is becoming increasingly fashionable, with trendy events held in elegant and sophisticated surroundings. Last year, the finish line area was restructured, introducing the LEITNER ropeways VIP Lounge, the Red Bull Energy Lounge and Les Viles by Blizzard-Tecnica. This year, the hospitality area will be further enhanced, thanks to the new AUDI Alta Badia Lounge. Audi’s relationship with winter sports has always made the brand with the four rings stand out, making it one of the cornerstones of the brand’s values. Audi’s commitment to the world of winter sports can also be seen through its presence in mountain areas, with exclusive initiatives and investments targeting a sustainable approach and a careful use of resources.
This area will be dedicated to those who want to enjoy the races at the centre of the action, on a raised terrace positioned between the grandstands, offering a view over the entire final section of the Gran Risa slope. The terrace, with plenty of lush Christmas decorations, will also be the ideal place to watch the flyover by the Frecce Tricolori (the Italian air force aerobatic team), scheduled for Sunday 22nd December at 12.30. The lounge’s interiors reflect the values of the partners involved: AUDI, Forst, Oakley and Movimënt, all characterised by cutting-edge technology and paying tribute to the local area. The various buffets will be offering a modern take on traditional local dishes. The open-space areas are ideal for business meetings and networking. Tickets for the Parallel Giant Slalom on Monday 23rd December, costing €120.00, are available from the website www.skiworldcup.it
NEW FOR 2019: QUALIFIERS FOR THE FINAL OF THE PARALLEL GIANT SLALOM
The main new feature of this year’s edition will be the qualification system for the night-time Parallel Giant Slalom, scheduled for Monday 23rd December. In order to take part in the Parallel Giant Slalom, athletes must get through the qualifiers. Skiers will compete in two heats, on a parallel course. The total time taken will decide the starting positions for the finals of the Parallel Giant Slalom for the 16 best athletes. The qualifiers will begin at 3pm, with the finals being held at 6.15pm, all on the “the last section of the Gran Risa slope. Alta Badia will once again confirm its status as a pioneer in this new ski discipline, which is now a stand-alone sport, awarding a special crystal cup for the men's races. This discipline will also be included in the Cortina 2021 world cup programme. As is the case for the Giant Slalom, the winners of the PGS will be awarded trophies, which are created especially for Alta Badia by the artist Daniele Basso, in collaboration with Swarovski.
THE RACES/THE PROGRAMME IN BRIEF
The weekend dedicated to the World Cup races officially kicks off on Saturday 21st December at 7pm, when the bibs of the fifteen best athletes will be picked. These athletes will be battling it out at the first stage of the Giant Slalom on Sunday 22nd December, at 10am. The second run on the Gran Risa slope will begin at 1pm, after the now traditional display by the “PAN Frecce Tricolori” (the Italian air force aerobatic team) at 12.30, which will fly over the finish area of Alta Badia’s Giant Slalom.
Events on Monday 23rd December will be getting underway early, at 07.15am thanks to SunRisa, when the cable cars will be opening earlier than normal, allowing skiers to enjoy a hearty breakfast at a number of Alta Badia’s mountain huts. This event is open to all ski enthusiasts who want to try some of Italy's best products.
The qualifiers for the Parallel Giant Slalom will take place at 3pm, which are a new feature this year. At 6.15pm, under the starry sky above the Gran Risa, lit up specially for the occasion, the night-time Parallel Giant Slalom will take place. This is a knock-out competition in which the 16 best athletes will race in pairs in a showcase of speed and technique. Tickets can be purchased at www.skiworldcup.it.
