1st place for Gstaad-Lenk at the international mountain guide race

  10.05.2019 Local News

After a six-and-a-half-hour journey, ten mountain guides and their five companions arrived for accreditation on Thursday 25 April 2019 in Valfurva. The Gstaad-Lenk delegation consisted of Hauswirths, Oehrlis, Romang, Rieder, Imdorf, Brands and Grundischs, all diligent and regular participants in this annual event.

The thrilling touring and freeriding displays by local mountain guides on Friday were either washed away by the rain or blown away by the wind, but we didn’t miss the opportunity to visit the giant slalom race area and the route for the ascent race. Then, we descended the various pistes to see what it was like to ski using unfamiliar racing skis! 

The event included plenty of time to sit together, enjoy the cosy atmosphere and region’s culinary specialties. At this event, you meet a lot of old, like-minded mountaineering chums from the Alpine countries of Europe and even from Canada. They’ve travelled from to chat, be inspired, brag and sing together over and over again.

Unfortunately, fewer and fewer young people (under the age of 50) are attending this convivial mountain guide gathering, which is a pity, as exchanging information among mountain guides is as important or even more important to younger professionals as to the older ones. The competition is secondary for most since chatting together and sharing information takes priority at this event. 

On competition day, the weather was radiantly beautiful, cold and with a strong north wind. The pistes were perfectly prepared. There was a long giant slalom for the "younger", i.e. under 60-year-olds and a shorter run for the "older" over 60s and their companions.

In the team rankings (the two best times from the short and long race courses) our Gstaad-Lenk team took first place, with Ueli Hauswirth, Daniel Oehrli, Arnold Hauswirth and Gusti Oehrli! Our representatives scooped nine podium places, once again performing brilliantly. We’ve been invited to attend the event next year at the end of April, when the 47th IVBV race will take place in the Aosta Valley.

Based on AvS/Ueli Grundisch
Translated by Justine Hewson


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