The Longest Slalom Race in the World
14th February 2022
Last modified on February 19th, 2022
It’s the 6km Südtirol Gardenissima in Italy and is now in its 24th edition. 680 racers, both amateur and professional, take part.
It is described as “the most demanding giant slalom in the world”.
It starts at Monte Seceda and ends at the Col Raiser cable car valley station in Val Gardena in the Dolomites.
This year it is being held on Saturday 2nd of April, with a children’s race the following day.
The racers start off two at a time within their category.
The first kilometre is a parallel slalom which then turns into a giant slalom.
Gardenissima. Image c/o Dolomites – Val Gardena
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.
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.
When registered, skiers can inspect the slope only once and only upon presenting their race bib – they cannot ski through the gates.
The race starts at 7.30 am.
See here for the full details of the event.
Gardenissima. Image c/o Dolomites – Val Gardena
Sunday 3rd April sees the Südtirol Gardenissima Kids.
The event starts at 9 am and the skiers of the future will tackle a 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 event will comply with the existing Covid 19 regulations.
Image © PlanetSKI
