A devastating fire kills 40 people and injures dozens more in Crans-Montana. A few weeks later, the Olympic dress rehearsal will take place there with two downhill runs and a Super-G. The mood is depressed.
A happy ski break was actually planned. With three races and parties surrounding it, Crans-Montana wanted to send athletes off to the Olympics. After the fire disaster on New Year’s Eve with 40 deaths, nothing is as it was in Crans-Montana.
Italian team remembers the victims
The Italian team announced that it would start with a mourning ribbon in memory of the victims. On Wednesday (January 28, 2026) Sofia Goggia, Elena Curtoni and Co. took part in a memorial ceremony for the victims. There was deep consternation.
Italian nationals were also among the dead, including the 16-year-old young golfer Emanuele Galeppini. Elena Curtoni knew him. “When I traveled to Crans this week, the first thing that came back to me was the thought of the accident. It’s a difficult time and it really affects me.”said the 34-year-old after the first downhill training.
“Crans-Montana needs these races”
Despite the pervasive sadness, the organizers decided to hold the races. “The place needs these races,” said the mayor Nicolas Féraud these days. People need positive energy and the opportunity to gather in large numbers.
The grief of the victims’ families should also be respected during the World Cup races. Men’s races took place in Crans Montana just two weeks after the accident.
No parties in town, silence and remembrance along the route
After the fatal fire, there were voices calling for the race to be canceled. “There will be a subtle supporting program, with moments and gestures of silence and remembrance.”it said.
There will be a minute’s silence before the races; all parties and supporting events have been canceled. There will be no advertising – including the start numbers and goal flags. There are mourning ribbons and the phrase on the advertising boards “Our thoughts are with you“The focus will be exclusively on sport this weekend.
Three decisions
The downhill route in Crans-Montana
For the ski racers, these are the last races before the Games. On Friday and Saturday, the women will first be challenged in the downhill (10 a.m. in the Sportschau ticker) and in the Super-G (11 a.m. in the Sportschau ticker). On Sunday (11 a.m. in the sports show ticker) the men will compete in their final downhill race before the Olympic Games.
Emma Aicher (SC Mahlstetten), Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (SC Starnberg), Romed Baumann (WSV Kiefersfelden), Simon Jocher (SC Garmisch) and Kitzbühel surprise Luis Vogt (SC Garmisch) are starting for Germany. They won’t be standing in the starting house in Crans-Montana as unexempt as usual.
