World Cup debacle in Alta Badia: Shocking slope conditions!

World Cup debacle in Alta Badia: Shocking slope conditions!

In the Alta Badia ski area, the inadequate preparation of the slopes is causing a war of words among the World Cup athletes. Led by half-time leader Filip Zubcic, ski stars such as Henrik Kristoffersen and Manuel Feller expressed their concerns about the condition of the race track. Zubcic clearly doubted whether the race should even take place in such miserable conditions: "The preparation is really bad. Our trainers prepare better slopes for the test runs than those responsible in the World Cup," said the Croatian to ARD. Kristoffersen described the debacle as “racing at the limit” and warned that it was not known when the slope would break. Feller, who was eliminated in 31st place after the first run, also confirmed the poor piste conditions.

Criticism and defense of those responsible

The athletes' concerns are among the most pressing issues of the World Cup, with even Felix Neureuther, ex-ski racer and TV expert, commenting critically on the situation. “The preparation could have been much better - but it is an outdoor sport,” said Neureuther, expressing his opinion that the best drivers in the world have to prove their performance even in difficult conditions.

Against the background of this criticism, it is important to understand the mechanisms of snow compaction so that such problems can be avoided in the future. How SLF.ch explains, the compaction of the snow plays a crucial role in the safety of the slopes. Efficient mechanical processing of fresh snow can improve snow stability by filling air spaces in the snow, increasing the strength of slopes. When the natural snow cover is freshly covered, the density can be increased significantly - but for ideal conditions, the correct preparation technique is also required. This is the only way to create sustainable and safe conditions for the athletes.