Event report from 2024
Despite the setbacks of recent years, Raphael Öttl, Berni Fink and Andreas Portenschlager have once again managed to organize a top-class event. However, the weather forecast at the beginning of the week left everyone trembling. On Thursday it snowed again on the Bielerhöhe, but Friday started with sunshine. Registration and a short briefing took place at 7:00 a.m. at the Vermuntbahn valley station and then it was off by gondola and bus to the starting point of the adventure. Skinning up, beep check and off we went.
The contest
As a cold front was expected to sweep through the country on Saturday, the contest was brought forward to Friday. After about an hour's ascent, the riders were able to separate their "hut luggage" from their freeride luggage and their backpacks became a lot lighter. The Back on Track helpers transported the luggage to the hut and the caravan branched off in the direction of the Lobturm. After a short hike, we stood below the contest face, which had already been checked by the mountain guides. Two different starting points, lots of gullies and rocks gave the riders every opportunity. Everyone was able to pick out their line without stress and then tackle the last 300 m to the start.
The good vibe didn't let up at the start either, despite the nervousness, lines and variations were discussed again. After the first riders had the snow dusted with the drone on their necks, any doubts were dispelled and everyone was looking forward to the best conditions. Of course, not every landing was judged correctly and not everyone was able to ride to the finish without crashing. But one thing remained the same: every skier was greeted with warm applause at the finish line. At around 3 p.m., all riders and helpers reached the finish in good health and only the climb to the hut lay between the thirsty throats and the after-contest beer.
At the Saarbrücker Hütte, Stefan Schöpf and his team welcomed the arriving contest participants. The adrenaline had to be flushed out of the body and the experiences of the day were reviewed until dinner. The finest Vorarlberg Kässpätzle, soup as an appetizer and a sweet temptation for dessert made everyone full and strong enough for the evening. The hut rest could almost be kept and on Saturday morning the riders and organizers set off into the white expanses of the Silvretta-Bielerhöhe.
