GstaadLife

SFr. 4'919.60

Sweating it out in the desert with temperatures reaching 50 degrees, the Gstaad Transorientale 08 team is almost at the end of their long journey. Desite their exhaustion and some minor technical problems, all is well. Our sister blog, AnzeigervonSaanen.ch, has been receiving text messages and photos sent personally by Hansueli Brand and Stanislas de Sadeleer. Enjoy!

June 24:
“Dear people of Saanenland, dear friends. After two days in the 50 degree desert heat, we and our machines have been pushed to the limit. Here, the sand dunes are not the same as in Africa, and it’s tough going: It’s almost impossible to drive over them, especially behind trucks. We’re still ranked 3rd, but where there’s no risk, there’s no gain! Many thanks for all the donations. The kids here show so much joy. There's no place like home... Regards, Hansueli.”

June 25:
“We’re getting closer to Beijing. We’re tired and exhausted and dreaming about a hot shower! Hansueli did a good job repairing the car. Apart from both the tripmasters not working properly, she’s running well. At the moment, we’re still 3rd in the interim Regularity category, but it will be difficult to keep our place. Only three more days… Stan.

Click here to see more videos of the Transorientale 08.

You, too, can participate by making a donation. Help the Gstaad Transorientale 08 team to help children in need. SFr 4,919.60 has already been collected in favor of Chinderhuus Ebnit, Gstaad, and the charity organization Mecenariat Heart Surgery / Enfants du Monde

Account for donations: Saanen Bank, IBAN CH 81 06342016019849010

The Gstaad Automobile Club team is sponsored by ING Private Banking

Ruedi Kunz, director of last year’s world beach volley tournament in Gstaad has been awarded the Silver FIVB Grand Cross at the International Beach Volley Federation annual congress in Dubai. The award, the FIVB’s highest accolade presented to organizers and promoters in recognition of their contribution to international beach volley, comes nearly a year after the “best world championships ever”, and is considered to be a great honor for Ruedi Kunz and his organization committee: indeed, Kunz is only the second person in history to receive the award. “I feel very honored to have received this award, which I accept on behalf of everyone who contributed to the success of last year’s championships: the organization committee, the sponsors, the volunteers, and the people of Saanenland,” said Kunz proudly on his return to Switzerland.” This award is a great encouragement for the Grand Slam next July.” In December 2007, Kunz was also named Sports Manager of the Year 2007 by the Swiss Association of Sports Managers.

Above: Ruedi Kunz receives the Silver FIVB Grand Cross from FIVB president, Dr Ruben Acosta.

Previously on GstaadLife.com:

• GstaadLife: From clay to sand: Gstaad center court goes beach 
• GstaadLife: Countdown to beach volleyball world championships in Gstaad 
• GstaadLife: Grandstand heralds Gstaad summer events

Recently, Saanen has been stealing all the limelight concerning intensive construction. In Gstaad too, there's also quite a bit of that going on. Here at GstaadLife.com, we thought we'd bring you a few glimpses of work going on in Gstaad. Don't forget to have your say: we'd be delighted to receive your comments!

Above: Gstaad station.

After a difficult week, Sunday was hardly a day of rest for Transorientale racer Hansueli Brand: more than five hours repairing the Discovery following the car’s untimely rendezvous with yet another pothole. In fact, it had been Hansueli's co-pilot, Stanislas de Sadeleer, who drove a tad hard into an unmarked bend, slammed on the brakes... next, the pothole. The vehicle was catapulted into another enormous hole, and might still be there if Stan had not had the good sense to stay off the brakes and let the car continue careening out of the other side of the depression. Exciting stuff, and worth the risk it seems, for the team from Gstaad is now in third place in the Regularity category. Both men are determined: onward to Beijing!

Stanislas de Sadeleer and Hansueli Brand are racing in aid of charity, helping children in need. Don’t forget to make your donation to this worthwhile cause.

Account for donations: Saanen Bank, IBAN CH 81 06342016019849010

The Gstaad Automobile Club team is sponsored by ING Private Banking

Swiss photographer Anja Tanner has received a SFr 10,000 prize from canton Bern in recognition of her project, The Otherworld. Originally from Lauenen, Tanner now lives in Bern where she is currently taking photos at the Euro 2008 football championships. During the summer months, the 27 year-old returns to her roots and works, notably, at the Menuhin festival, as well as for local architects. She spoke to our sister publication, Anzeiger von Saanen, about her project.

By Taki Theodoracopulos

Just 555 short years ago last month, troops led by Mehmed II broke through the walls of the ancient Christian capital of Constantinople, ending a gallant defence by Constantine Paleologos, the last king of Byzantium. Just five even shorter days ago, a portly barrister and a ten year-old almost pulled off the greatest cricket upset ever, but like Byzantium, it was not to be. Ironically, I contributed to both gallant but losing causes: In spirit only in Constantinople, by fielding my arse off at the cricket. More about the portly barrister and the ten year-old later.

As barbarians tend to do, Mehmed rode triumphantly into the city on a white horse. Soon, churches became mosques and Constantinople became Istanbul. This was Islam’s greatest victory ever. For nearly a millennium, Constantinople had been the foremost barrier to Islam’s sustained drive for world conquest. Mehmed did not stop there. He went on to conquer Greece – but not the Ionian islands because the Taki family came from there – Serbia and the Balkans south of the Danube and the Crimean Peninsula. His grandson and great grandson added Mecca and Medina, Iraq, North Africa and parts of Hungary.

SFr 4,519.60

“The last few days which have been marked by several accidents, two of which were fatal, have been very difficult for everyone,” said Hans Ueli Brand. “The race is merciless. Driving for 12 hours per day over distances of about 700 km takes a lot more than one could imagine. Even though we're doing well, safety is our main concern.” After one of the past week's stages, Brand had to repair the Discovery’s cooling system which suffered some serious damage due to the large number of potholes along the road.

On Friday June 20, Stanislas de Sadeleer sent an sms to our sister blog AnzeigervonSaanen.ch:

“We’re at the border between Kazakhstan and China; we’ve been queuing for the past three hours… and will have to wait for at least another two. We feel washed out and very tired, but our morale is good! We’re fighting! Best wishes, Stan”

Above: Rally teams made a stop in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, where they where greeted by crowds celebrating the city's 10th anniversary.

The Gstaad Automobile Club team is racing in aid of Chinderhuus Ebnit, Gstaad, and the charity organization Mecenariat Heart Surgery / Enfants du Monde. Donatations to help children in need can be made throughout the rally .

Account for donations: Saanen Bank, IBAN CH 81 06342016019849010

The Gstaad Automobile Club team is sponsored by ING Private Banking

Two fatal accidents plunged the first ever Transorientale car rally into mourning this week. On June 16, during the special section of stage 5 from Mrakovo to Bogotse, the Chinese motorcyclist Xu Lang stopped to help another team retrieve their vehicle which was stuck in mud. The towing cable snapped, hitting Lang full in the face. A medical rescue helicopter arrived within 10 minutes and Lang was transported to hospital in Orenburg, Russia, in critical condition. He died from severe brain injuries the next morning.

The second fatality occurred on the special section of stage 6 following a collision between the French motorcyclist Philippe Tonin and a Kamaz team truck. Tonin succumbed to his injuries at the site of the accident, despite a prompt response from rescuers. His body was transported to Arkalik by helicopter and then by plane to the Kazakhstan capital, Astana.

As a result of these tragic events, organizer René Metge made the decision to cancel the next day’s special stage, and all the vehicles made the trip to Astana in convoy: A fitting tribute to Xu Lang and Philippe Tonin.

It was important that the contruction work going on in the center of Saanen was completed first, allowing summer tourist traffic to resume in preparation for the season's major events. With the exception of Gstaad village center which should soon be back to normal, other sections of the Fernwärme project will be completed in due time with minimum pertubation to traffic. Whereas the section of piping along the road from the Fernwärme plant (still under construction) has yet to be insulated and made watertight, the section which runs under Saanen village is finished; the gaping holes have been filled and the road has been re-tarmacked. Until when, you may ask?

Above: The village of Saanen is open to traffic again after almost three months of intensive construction work for the new district heating system.

Starting next month and running throughout August until the beginning of September, the Menuhin Festival Gstaad will once more be welcoming the world’s top musicians. This year’s theme, “Joie de vivre”, is centered on the emotional qualities of music. Certainly, music is close to life. Music has the capacity to move the listener and provoke an emotional response: By way of a poignant change of key or tempo, music can inspire feelings of joy and despair, and moods can swing from lightheartedness to doubt and fear.

Above: The Nigel Kennedy Quintet will be performing at this year's Menuhin Festival Gstaad.