The best comes last: The legendary ski race 'Der weisse Rausch' in St. Anton am Arlberg
When the lifts close in the afternoon of 19th April, things really heat up on the slopes of St. Anton am Arlberg.
This is the day of the „White Thrill“ – the cult ski race which drives its participants to their absolute physical limits every year. The atmosphere is electric, even during the day: a large proportion of skiers are already dressed in racing attire and try to conceal their mounting nervousness with jokes in the gondola or by looking uber-casual about the approaching event. Things then start getting serious at 17 hrs, when 555 skiers, snowboarders or telemark skiers assemble on the Valluga Ridge for the mass start.
The now legendary „White Thrill“ alpine ski race attracts thousands of winter sports enthusiasts every year to St. Anton am Arlberg from all over the world. Anyone can take part, although many know from experience that this race is not suitable for all. Just choosing the right starting position at the mass start can win a few crucial seconds for later. The real challenge, however, follows shortly after on “Pain Mountain”. Those who hurry up this 150 ascent too fast, will pay for it with burning lungs. Those who take it too easy will fall behind the leaders. The unprepared slopes demand high levels of skiing skill and dexterity. Mathias Gorbach set a new record time of seven minutes and 9 seconds over the maximal distance in 2017, which is now the benchmark to beat. Times between 11 and 18 minutes are a good average, but for most it plays only a minor role. The main thing is just to get over that finishing line. Spectators can also look forward to the flamboyantly attired participants, who roll in around half an hour later. By then at the latest it becomes clear that fun does not fall by the wayside during this particular race.
Looks like shorts and t shirts would be appropriate ski wear!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Is this a new start? In the past I thought the start was just outside the lift station. This year seems to be a walking start up the slope to Mattunjoch?
Did they lower the start due to avalanche concerns? Also split the race into 3 tranches I guess to make the start a bit fairer, however that took away the mass start excitement. The guy in the lead of the second race took a big hit when he fell and flew through the air into the chair base at the bottom of the black!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
munich_irish wrote:
Is this a new start? In the past I thought the start was just outside the lift station. This year seems to be a walking start up the slope to Mattunjoch?
Vallugabahn Closed
It is explained from here....(You understand German) .. Yes started with a brutal 200 metre hike up to Mattunjoch in Soft Snow.
It is not the first time the start has been moved in just recent seasons it started from Galzig (with a reduced course length) and also started with hike up to Östhang
After all it is free
After all it is free
@JimboS, The piste is open so cant see it was avalanche related, perhaps too many accidents? It did look a pretty bad crash though though he got up and carried on. Looking at some of the later finishers I thought I could manage better than that but wouldnt have the fitness to cope with the sections on foot!
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