Val Gardena Groden Vertical Up: Master the Saslong Uphill in Record Time

Published by Mountainblog on 10/07/2016.

The Organizing Committee of the Ski World Cup is presenting a new and interesting event with VAL GARDENA – GRÖDEN VERTICAL UP.

While each December the world’s best speed specialists thunder down the Saslong from Start to Finish fighting for record times, on January 21st, 2017, endurance specialists will try to achieve the opposite by completing the climb from Finish to Start in the shortest time. It means that they will try to conquer the classic World Cup course uphill from bottom to top as quickly as possible.

There are two options: the long and the short distance. The original course measured 3.5 km and 830 m in altitude difference; the shortened track is 1.986 km long and has an altitude difference of 590 m. The Start is at 1410 m above sea level, the Finish at 2249 and 2000 m, respectively. The maximum gradient is 56%, the average gradient 24.5%.

What’s most interesting about the competition is that there are practically no rules: the choice of materials and equipment is free, as long as the ascent is propelled by one’s own power. Light is provided by head lamps and key sections are additionally lit by standing lights provided by the OC. The ascent lines of both routes are also free of choice.

Men and women will be ranked separately: there is a speed and a backpack category. The Speed Class winner is who is fastest at vertically mastering the Saslong. Ranks 1-6 will be awarded cash prizes. There are also gift certificates and non-cash prizes to be won. The Back-pack Class crowns the participant who clocks the time closest to the average time of all participants. An absolute “entertainment competition”. A maximum of 1500 athletes are allowed at the start.

In addition to the general and category ranking, there are also regional and team rankings. And there is a special prize for whoever reaches the Camel Humps first. Same goes for the athlete who conquers the steepest part (the “spinel” or back) in the shortest amount of time.

Registration begins on October 10th, 2016 at 8:16 PM and closes on January 14th, 2017 at 8:00 pm CET. Late entries at an extra fee accepted at the race office January 21st, 2017 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

VERTICAL UP venues include: