Keystone
Two years following failing to bid for the World Cup, Crans-Montana is successful this time: In 2027, the alpine ski title fights will take place for the second time on the Valais high plateau – exactly 40 years following the Swiss Festival of 1987.
In the first attempt, Crans-Montana 2020 failed because of Saalbach-Hinterglemm. This time, the Swiss candidacy clearly prevailed with 11 votes – ahead of Soldeu in Andorra, Narvik in Norway (each with 3 votes) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1 vote).
“Receiving the 2027 World Championships is the reward for the excellent work of the whole team over the past few years. Our candidacy was so strong and convincing because everyone, from the community to the canton of Valais and Swiss-Ski, pulled together. We also enjoyed broad support from the mountain railways and the population,” analyzed Urs Lehmann, the President of Swiss-Ski, who is active in the candidacy committee.
Immediately following the failure almost two years ago in the last World Cup bid, Crans-Montana decided to make a second attempt to bring the World Cup to Switzerland, as it did in 2017 and 2003 (both in St. Moritz). It usually takes two attempts to convince the FIS Council.
In addition to the support of all relevant bodies, Crans-Montana was able to point to other advantages, such as the experience it has gained in hosting the women’s World Cup races over the last decade and a half. In addition, the Nationale and Mont-Lachaux slopes have been extensively renovated and expanded in recent years.
The Swiss celebrated their most successful world championships on these slopes in 1987, winning eight of the ten gold medals that were distributed. The upcoming title fights should also be a celebration. On June 19, Crans-Montana invites you to the first World Cup party to celebrate the successful candidacy. In February 2027, when it comes to the medals, Marius Robyr, the director of the candidacy, expects “a grandiose ski festival with over 200,000 spectators and once more overwhelming Swiss successes”.
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