The Afghan Ski Challenge took place for the second time on March 9, 2012 in the Afghan province of Bamiyan. At Afghanistan's second international ski championship, the locals outclassed the far more experienced racers from the West. Since two Swiss journalists persistently organized Afghanistan's first ski race last year, it has been reported in many international media. The response was overwhelming and for this year, several well-known outdoor companies offered their support to organize the event in an appropriate setting.
Superior Afghan local heroes
Last year, 12 highly motivated young men stood on the starting line, many of whom had only had the opportunity to gain experience on skis for the first time a few days earlier. This year, ten freshly trained Afghan downhill skiers and five foreigners gathered to take part in a special event: But the local heroes had a clear advantage. Most of the locals, well acclimatized, worked their way up the mountain on foot for the 500 metres to the starting point of the descent. With surprising success: many foreigners were still on their ski touring skis when the first Afghans crossed the finish line.
Surprise winner in Bamiyan
The cheers from the spectators in the village - a few government representatives, journalists, villagers, especially the families of the participants - were huge. Especially, of course, among the family of Khalil Reza, who lives with his parents and seven siblings in a mud hut in the village. "For my brothers and sisters, I am now a hero", said the newly crowned 19-year-old ski champion after the race. Quite understandable, as another local hero was the favorite going into the race.
Bamiyan was once a tourist hotspot on the Silk Road: the world-famous Buddha statues from the first millennium AD attracted around 150,000 tourists a year. Today, tourism is no longer a measurable source of income for this remote region. However, there are ideal conditions for ski tours here: mountains between 2,000 and 5,000 m above sea level, thanks to the northern exposure and extremely dry climate with plenty of powder snow. There is not a single ski lift! A small team of Afghan ski fans and employees of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) founded the Bamiyan Ski Club last year and organized the first Afghan Ski Challenge. The annual race is intended to help make Bamiyan better known internationally as a ski touring destination and to bring a little variety and joy to the war-torn region through sport. Entry fees are only charged for non-Afghans. These will be used to support sporting and educational projects in the region.
"This victory will increase my chances of getting married! That's the most important thing.
Ali Shah Farhang, the real favorite of the race, had to settle for the silver medal. Last winter, a chance meeting with an Italian mountain guide who was ski touring in the region with friends changed the life of the former potato farmer. His original plan was to study engineering, but the Italian - who was traveling with two women - convinced him of the obvious advantages of his job. Ali Shah Farhang has since become one of Afghanistan's leading ski instructors. After the race, he was disappointed to declare the modern equipment as the culprit for his second place. "The skis said 'Alpine Touring Ski'. I thought they must be something very special," says Farhang. "But they were no good at all. I fell down a hundred times." Despite the prize money (Tissot watch and Arc'teryx jacket), the winner Khalil Reza was certain: "This victory will increase my chances of getting married! That's the most important thing."