Those responsible for the Alpine World Cup races at the foot of the Matterhorn can count on extremely competent and prominent support. With Pirmin Zurbriggen, the most successful Swiss skier is committed as an ambassador for the “Matterhorn Cervino World Cup Races”. Meanwhile, Franz Julen will be the president of the local organizing committee.
He is the downhill Olympic champion in 1988, four-time world champion and four-time overall World Cup winner - and is now advising the organizing committee of the World Cup races on the Matterhorn: Pirmin Zurbriggen. The 58-year-old from Valais will be the godfather of the new World Cup route and ambassador for the Speed Opening event. "I am very pleased to be able to work on this visionary and innovative project and to contribute my many years of experience and knowledge," says Zurbriggen.
Franz Julen, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zermatt Bergbahnen AG, is the president of the organizing committee of the international World Cup event. The 63-year-old from Zermatt has also chaired the Board of Directors of Valora Holding AG since 2017; before that, the brother and serviceman of Max Julen, the 1984 giant slalom Olympic champion, had been CEO of Intersport International for 17 years. Meanwhile, Marco Mosso, President of the Regional Ski Association Valle d'Aosta (Presidente Comitato Regionale Valdostano FISI - ASIVA) will act as OC Vice President. The 63-year-old Italian held the position of OC President in 2016 and four years later that of Race Director of the World Cup races in La Thuile.
As of December 1, 2021, Christian Ziörjen will assume operational responsibility for the Matterhorn races as CEO of the local organizing committee. The 36-year-old has been Head of Destination Services & Head Events / Partnership at Zermatt Tourism since 2016. Ziörjen is very familiar with the local conditions on both sides of the Matterhorn; In the past, various projects and events have been implemented together with Cervinia.
"The various key positions relating to the organization of the new World Cup races on the Matterhorn could all be filled by people who are well established in the region and who have extensive know-how and an excellent network," says Swiss-Ski President Urs Lehmann.
Flavio Roda, President of FISI, adds: “The structural basis for a successful future of the Speed Opening in Zermatt / Cervinia has been laid. Pirmin Zurbriggen, with his vast experience and international charisma, represents an important added value as an ambassador. The detailed planning of this new ski sport highlight can now be actively pursued. "
The new World Cup route will be presented on the Klein Matterhorn on November 26th.
The Klein Matterhorn is a peak of the Pennine Alps, overlooking Zermatt in the Swiss canton of Valais. At 3,883 metres above sea level, it is the highest place in Europe that can be reached by aerial tramway or gondola lift, as well as by any other means of transport.
main picture Zermatt.ch