Over 1800 starters had registered for the superlative Inferno race from the Schilthorn in Mürren, which took place from January 21 to 24, 2009. However, the weather did not allow the downhill race to be held on the original course. The organizers hoped for a long time that the conditions would change for the better and that they would once again be able to start below the Schilthorn and ski down to Lauterbrunnen.
The race started on time and the first runner was started by the Mürren guest Duke of Kent. He is a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II of England, a C-Class Royal, so to speak. Along the route, but especially at the start on the Allmendhubel, at the Höhenlücke and in Winteregg, many spectators were waiting to cheer on the participants. This year, the flower ceremony immediately after the race took place at the finish in Lauterbrunnen and the official award ceremony at the Mürren Sports Center.
Marianne Rubi (Grindelwald) won the women's I category with a time of 11.30.48. Melanie Steuri, also from Grindelwald, took second place with a time of 11.43.79. A former winner, Susanne Bleuer-Tschanz (Matten), took third place in 11.59.93. Pamela Stettler from Zweisimmen won the women's II category. Last year's winner Mario Teuscher (Därstetten) won again in the main class. He took over 15 seconds off second-placed Mathias Salzmann (Blatten b. Naters). Teuscher's time was 10.31.32 and Salzmann's 10.46.54. Third-placed Marc Schori (Unterseen) missed out on the silver medal by just 33 hundredths of a second with his time of 10.46.87. Oliver Feuz from Mürren achieved fifth place with a time of 10.50.29. The senior I category was won by Kuno Michel (Kerns) with a time of 10.36.66. The German Klaus Zürn (D-Köglmaier Racing Team) won the Senior II category, as he did last year. His time was 11.08.55.
The 67th International Inferno Ski Race Mürren will take place from Wednesday, January 20 to Saturday, January 23, 2010.
