The popular Inferno Downhill and Cross Country ski races in Switzerland, which are open to all comers and attracts entrants from all over the world, have been cancelled this season because of Covid.
The 78th International Inferno Races in Murren were to take place from 20 – 23 January 2021 but the restrictions on major events put in place by the authorities due to the pandemic means the races cannot be held.
Earlier this year the organising committee had drawn up a Plan B for holding the event under more stringent COVID-19 restrictions. Possible measures included spreading the downhill over two days, and scaling back the apres party at the Mürren Sports Centre.
But following the introduction of more restrictions because of the pandemic, the committee made the final decision to cancel the event at an extraordinary meeting on Friday 4 December 2020.
“The inferno races could not be held in 1964 and 1990 due to a lack of snow”, said Christoph Egger, OC President of the Inferno races, “Now we are being stopped by a pandemic for the first time. We very much regret this decision”
The committee discussed postponing the races until the end of March or the beginning of April 2021. But this was decided that the uncertainty surrounding events on the scale of the Inferno Races meant it might still not be possible to stage the races.
Committee members also took into account that several long sections of the downhill run could be hit by wet snow avalanches in the warmer spring months and this would force the races to be stopped from midday onwards. Also the organisation of the combined cross-country skiing on the village streets in Mürren would be questionable in the spring.
Entry fees already paid will be fully refunded. The 78th International Inferno Races will now take place from 19 to 22 January 2022. Online registration will be open from June 2021.
The downhill event in the Inferno has a total entry of 1,850 racers. They start just below the Kleines Schilthorn and follow the course through the Engetal to the Schilthorn Hut. Then follows a long drawn-out ‘S’ to just below the Muttlerenhorn, followed by the challenge of the Kanonenrohr.
Next comes a further ‘Double S’ and a sharp right curve. The course climbs into woodland, crossing the path of the Maulerhubel Skilift. A slight ascent then leads to Winteregg over the Winteregg Bridge, joining the forest trail in the direction of Lauterbrunnen.
This course can be covered by competent skiers in 45 minutes approx although the winner usually completes the race in less than 15 minutes.
The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant on the Schilthorn in Murren provides a backdrop for part of the Inferno race
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