Published: 11.01.24

GÜNTHER PITSCHEIDER, Director of Selva Val Gardena Tourist Association and the Organisation Committee

What does an event like Gardenissima mean for Selva and Val Gardena?
Certainly such an event, the longest giant slalom in the world, has a major impact in giving the message that even at the end of the season, the conditions for skiing from the mountain to the valley are excellent. The main objective, since the first edition, of this extraordinary race with over 700 participants, has always been the same. Other, more goliardic aspects are not lacking. Another special feature is the fact that ‚Sunday‘ skiers can compare themselves with World Cup athletes, as well as get to know in person those who still tread the ski slopes at world level, but also former athletes. 

What is the added value for the ‚Gardenissima Kids‘ event?
The Gardenissima Kids was created a few years ago to show that children/youths can also have fun on a particular track with the logic of the Gardenissima: starting in parallel and then merging into a single track,albeit somewhat shorter compared to the adults‘ track. Nevertheless, the aim is to show that even among children, there exists a healthy competitive spirit that can be approached in a playful manner.

What are the major pitfalls and difficulties in organising an event of this magnitude?
Certainly the bureaucratic aspect plays a significant role, as in other contexts, it‘s constantly increasing. Furthermore, being an outdoor activity, the weather factor may or may not favour the success of the event. Fortunately, thanks to the remarkable spirit of sacrifice of all those involved, as well as the hundreds of volunteers, even when weather conditions were unfavorable at times, from the first to the last edition, the event has always succeeded.

What news is in store for the 26th edition of Gardenissima?
There are no major innovations. The focus is on improving the best things. There will be an increase in the number of participants in the ‚Kids‘ to 400 children in order to give more weight to the race held on Sundays.

A wish and a desire for the future of Gardenissima?
That we continue to organise a remarkable event of this magnitude that is consolidated over time, both for the competitive part and the side events, with the hope that there will never be any serious injuries among the more than one thousand participants spread over the two days of competition.