The annual invitational night slalom race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland took place on Tuesday December 29 as planned and without spectators, with a number of the world’s best slalom skiers lined up for the initial heats and final.
The top 20 FIS ranked slalom skiers are invited to participate and with a top prize of 25,000 CHF, the race is always well attended. This year due to Covid restrictions, athletes from Italy and Austria didn’t manage to attend, as well as Great Britain’s Dave Ryding, a previous podium placed skier.
Despite this the line-up included many of the big names such as Ramon Zenhaeusern (CH), Daniel Yule (CH) and Clement Noel (FR).
Following three heats where the bottom five skiers were eliminated each time, the final came down to the last five: Tanguy Nef, Daniel Yule, Clement Noel, Noel Von Gruenigen and local Crans-Montana based skier Luca Aerni (FIS slalom ranked 17).
Aerni took top spot following DNFs from Yule and Nef, with Von Gruenigen and Noel taking second and third places respectively.
Usually Dave Ryding competes in this high class event but due to the Covid travel restrictions and being close to the Zagreb races and New Year, Ryding elected not to attend
The full results can be seen here: https://www.skicm-cransmontana.ch/media/349526/final.pdf
A video interview with Aerni can be seen here (in French): https://vimeo.com/495592646
Crans-Montana is bidding for the 2027 Alpine Ski World Championships and will host the 2021 Women’s World Cup Alpine Downhill races on the 16th and 17th January.
https://www.skicm-cransmontana.ch/en/home/
Picture copyright : DEPREZphoto-cransmontana