A real tour de force - the organizers of the horn sled race defy the thaw

Created: 06/01/2023 18:34

By: Catherine Brumbauer

The sled with the “D'Blitzhorner” team performs a spectacular somersault just before the finish line © FOTOPRESS THOMAS SEHR

The lack of snow made it more than difficult for the organizers: but the horn sled race on Epiphany took place again after a two-year Corona break.

Around 5,000 spectators flock to the Wildenau for the return of the traditional event.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – It has often been close.

"But this time it was brutally tight." Christian Herzog, spokesman for the Hornschlittenverein Partenkirchen, makes no secret of this.

Lack of snow is nothing new.

But this time there was no frost during the night either, which really gave the organizers of the Partenkirchner Horn sled race a headache.

Nevertheless, in the run-up to the event on Epiphany, Herzog explained: “The race is taking place.

Period.” The two corona-related failures in 2021 and 2022 had hurt too much.

And never before had a horn sledge race been canceled due to a lack of snow.

So those in charge scraped together every available snow.

On Thursday, several truck loads from the ski stadium with snow from the night slalom on the Gudiberg were added.

Until 11 p.m. and again from 7 a.m. on Holy Epiphany, the emergency services on the track worked to prepare a track suitable for racing.

They gave their all until the start of the first sled at around 12.30 p.m.

Spread the snow over as large an area as possible on the way from the Partnachalm down into the valley.

Tireless fight: the helpers of the horn sled race prepare the finish area with snow until the start © FOTOPRESS THOMAS SEHR

"It was a feat of strength," emphasizes Peter Strodl, Chairman of the Horn Sledge Association.

Everything was still green in the finish area at Wildenau on Thursday.

Under these conditions, the helpers would have gotten "a great distance" together, says Peter Eursch from the "de Oan and Andern Badakurch" team.

But when Eursch arrives at the finish with tarnished glasses and snow in his hair, he also speaks of a soft slope.

It was difficult to stay on course in the curves.

If you go beyond the prepared snow band with your sled, "you're gone".

These conditions inspired Karl Neff from Garmisch with respect.

Last time he was still part of the "De' Feirigen" team.

"It was just too dangerous for me in the mud" For the participants this year more than usual: get down safely.

Horn sled race: Lots of bumps, soft slopes: difficult conditions for the participants

"There were a lot of shots," emphasizes Thomas Salfner, pilot of the "Partnachalm" team.

"But things went quite well." The local heroes from Partenkirch didn't think they had any great chances at first.

Due to the weather, it was only possible to start below the Edistich just before the Rasseneck.

The steepest piece was missing on the shortened route.

Salfner was sure that would be to his and his team's disadvantage.

"We need momentum from above." They registered their driving time of one minute and 16 seconds all the more incredulously.

Only the “Volkssport Trusetal” sledge was faster.

Second place for the Partenkirchner.

5000 spectators broke into cheers.

In full swing: Thomas and Andreas Salfner, Marco Saller and Flori Braun - "Team Partnachalm" are second.

© FOTOPRESS THOMAS VERY

Spectacular somersault, a surprisingly fast ride: fans get something to do at the first horn sled race since 2020.

Marie Baldauf and her friends from the Allgäu created a good atmosphere with cowbells.

Her men rushed down to Wildenau with the sleds "D'Blitzhorner 1" and "D'Blitzhorner 2".

"We'd rather have snow than a slab of ice," emphasizes Baldauf.

"But we can't celebrate until our last sled is down." And as if their fans decried it, "D'Blitzhorner 1" did a spectacular somersault before the finish line.

A helmet flew through the target area in anger.

The “Beira Lausmadln” also had to “calm their nerves” after their run.

The Benediktbeurers defended their 2020 title for women.

The ride on the softened snow seemed very slow to them.

They would not have been angry with the horn sled club if they had postponed the race until there was more snow.

But they also know what it meant to those responsible to hold their traditional event again after two years of the pandemic.

" BAVARIA