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The three policemen don’t have much to do. Of the few people who are in Val d’Isère, the majority wear a mask. The only sinner: a resident. He quickly pulls the sweater over his mouth and nose.
A few blocks away there is a Swiss-Ski team bus in front of Hotel La Savoyarde. It has been the Swiss neighborhood here for years. A quick look through the lobby window, and maybe you can see one of the stars. Athletes have never felt so neglected as now.
Hotel La Savoyarde has been the Swiss skiers’ district in Val d’Isère for years. The street in front is deserted.
© mpr
The town is practically empty. Skiing is prohibited in France. The elevators are stopped, the restaurants must remain closed. Government measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 are strict.
There are 24,000 beds in Val d’Isère. Around 10,000 are in private holiday apartments, the rest are rented out to tourists. “The occupancy rate is currently around five percent,” says Cécile Ferrando, director of tourism. Thanks to the Ski World Cup, with athletes and supervisors, it is temporarily a little higher.
The failed course before the Supreme Court
Not far from the Swiss hotel, the terrace of the Bar Jacques restaurant is covered in snow and leaves no footprints. Usually it is difficult to get a table here. Some like snails that are served to order. Now the door remains closed. It is a good winter for mollusks. But very bad for gastronomy.
The Barjacques restaurant. Otherwise, here are snails. Now the door remains closed.
© mpr
“We hope that not all companies survive,” says Ferrando. The French government has promised generous financial aid. But Ferrando says:
The tourism director is sitting in her office and nervously glances at her cell phone. “Numerous ski resorts have sued the supreme court to be allowed to open. We expect the result in the next few hours. “The disenchantment continues on Friday morning. The demand was denied. The mountain railways remain closed.” We would like to have a date when we can orient ourselves. The uncertainty is very difficult, “he says. Ferrando.
Eat in stages and more individual rooms
Return to the Swiss hotel. Only guests have access. Mauro Caviezel says: “In general, you are alone more often. That’s unusual. “Usually two athletes share a room. Due to Corona, there are more individual reservations. They eat together. But in stages, if there is not enough space to keep their distances. Beat Feuz says:
His Swiss teammates see him in a similar way. Mauro Caviezel says: “The most important thing is to comply with the measures. Don’t get angry and stay positive. “
Mauro Caviezel gives interviews in Val d’Isère with mask and distance.
© mpr
From an organizational point of view, it is a challenge for Swiss-Ski. “When we arrive, we often don’t know if the documents presented are sufficient. A different doctor is responsible at each World Cup venue, ”says Tom Stauffer, the men’s head coach and responsible for travel planning. Athletes are screened for Corona weekly, sometimes even twice. But certain things are constantly changing. This uncertainty can create stress, ”says Stauffer.
To try or not to try? That changes all the time
An example is Madonna di Campiglio. There will take place a slalom on December 22. The riders come directly from Alta Badia, where a race in the same discipline is scheduled the day before. “At the beginning it was said that all athletes who travel directly forward do not have to take a test. But now, ”says Stauffer.
As laborious as the testing procedure may be, everyone is happy that races are being held. After the World Cups in North America were canceled, Val d’Isère stepped in and took over a downhill and super-G. “If they had asked me in summer how difficult it would be to hold a World Cup with the current requirements of the Crown, I would have said: not much. I was wrong, ”says Ingrid Jacquemod.
The former French downhill specialist is president of the organizing committee and is in constant stress. Breathing fast, he shows up at the meeting point 25 minutes late. “Sorry, I’m running from A to B and back.” Even so, he would run again for replacement races:
The men’s ski circus will soon cease to function. The women will come next week. Then it becomes even quieter. “It’s a strange thought so close to Christmas,” says Ferrando. In return, the police have more time with their families.
