Updated
Race director in the Oberland, the Bernese is regarding to take leave of the Chuenisbärgli following 28 years of good and loyal service. But he will not be able to attend the races, because he tested positive.
- through
- Christian Maillard
(Adelboden)
Hans Pieren, who had been the course manager since 1994, will step down as manager following this weekend.
DR
From Adelboden to Beijing via Innsbruck and PyeongChang, on the Cirque white, he has lived almost everything. Born in Adelboden, Hans Pieren has been both a runner, coach of the Swiss women’s team (between 1999 and 2001), entrepreneur (he is the boss of an in-line ski products company) and race director for over of three decades.
The Bernese inevitably knows the Oberland resort like the back of his hand. But above all this track of the Chuenisbärgli which he masters on the fingertips. Second behind Ole-Kristian Furuseth in 1992, the one who was one of the best giantists in the world between 1980 and 1990 (three podiums), has especially been since 28 years in charge of this legendary event.
It is certainly a tear in the eye that Hans Pieren will plant his stick and his drill one last time this Sunday, like here in 2019.
Tamedia AG
It is certainly with the tear to the l’eye that this future sixty-year-old (he will pass the course on the 23 next january) learned that he might not plant, this Sunday, his stick for the last time. Tested positive at Covid, he will not be allowed to attend the tests. He will have to wait until next year for a tribute to him.
Cth weekend, il will give thees keys to Reto Däpp and Stefan Von Känel, for new adventures. «No one knew this Chuenisbärgli better than he and all the meteorological finer points around it the days before.ant the race», they say, just as moved, in his entourage.
We contacted him on Thursday, before he learns the results of his test, while we are actively preparing this 4th giant and 3rd slalom of the season, who shouldint attract large crowds on Saturday and Sunday.
So, Hans Pieren, it’s really over for you, in Adelboden?
“As I will be celebrating my 60th birthday on January 23, I thought it was time to finally ease off and stop”
But following this weekend, are you really going to stop?
Yes that is correct. As I’m going to celebrate my 60th birthday on 23 January, I thought it was time for’enfin leworm the foot and stop me. We don’t always have to do more, and knowing how to reduce the sails when necessary. Twenty-eight years is good.
Five years following your beginnings in this role of slope director, you also assumed during two years, from 1999 to 2001, at the same time, the post of head coach of Swiss women’s skiing, is it right?
Yes, it’s true. During this period, Sonja Nef had been world champion, while Sylviane Berthod and Corinne Rey-Bellet had also won in the World Cup under my orders. I then worked with the FIS as the course manager, two years with the women and seven with the men.
If we understand correctly, being born in Adelboden, you spent your life in the snow?
It’s true! I also opened a business in which I sell ski equipment, that isint gloves, shoes, helmets. Finally everything you need for skiers. We have plus of 2000 articles online that we find on our site.
“There are good forecasts for the next few days, when the temperature will drop below zero. We had to have a good track and good races ”
What memories do you have of these 28 years in the skin of Adelboden race leader?
I must say that in 28 years, we struggled a lot with this track, with the time, the conditions and the budget to make everything run smoothly. It hasn’t always been easy. We have struggled a lot with the weather in recent weeks. This year there is a lot of artificial snow, but with the return of heat and three to four days of rain, it was not easy. That said, there is a good forecast for the next few days, where the temperature will drop in. below zero. We had to have a nice track and great races.
With the appearance of the Covid, it is obviously more complicated …
Yes, because every day, we have new cases in the organization, with people who can no longer come to work. It’s a hell of a challenge for us.
Of the nine Swiss victories here in Adelboden, which do you think is the most beautiful?
I can’t say which I liked the most. Perhaps the surprise victory of Marc Berthod, who won in 2007 with the number 60. Now, it is not for me to judge the victories: here, they are all extraordinary.
You who know this Chuenisbärgli like the back of your hand, you never managed to win here during your running career?
I was second behind the Norwegian Furuseth, it was already a great result, not everyone can say the same. Otherwise, I had a fifth place and several good tops 10.
“If there might be a Swiss victory, with Odermatt or another Saturday or Sunday, it would be the icing on the cake”
For your last one here, what would be the best gift for you?
That the track is already superb and, above all, that there are no accidents to deplore all weekend, that‘the s’agisse froms runners, but also from all the volunteers who help us on the trail. And if there might finally be a Swiss victory, like Odermatt for example or Yule or another Helvetian Saturday or Sunday, that would be a nice point on the i, or if you prefer the icing on the cake.
Hans Pieren is ready to bow out.
Manuel Lopez
And from Monday, it will be retirement. Qu’are you going to do next?
Monday will not be over for me. Lhe race does not end with the last runner crossing the line. There will remain all the administrative matters in order to better prepare the next edition and improve it for my successors. It’s not until June that it will really be over for me.
You will still go to Beijing, it is exact?
Comrs to PyeThengChang, I’m going for the FIS as an expert and advisor for the track.