For more than 6 months a group of 16 people has been training hard ahead of January 14, when they will face an unprecedented challenge: covering 1,000,000 metres of vertical drop in 24 hours, on skis.
The record to be broken consists of a total vertical drop of 1,000,000 metres covered by 16 athletes in total (group attempt); 250,000 metres of vertical skied by the 4 members of 4 teams in total (team attempt); and the individual record for the maximum daily vertical drop by at least one of the 16 skiers (individual attempt), for which the previous record stands at 92,160 metres of vertical (set by Franz Venier, February 15, 2009).
The team is made up of 16 ski instructors who in everyday life work in extremely varied jobs.
From student Anna to bricklayer Michael, by way of technical draughtsman Matthias, and many others…
They are all following a special training programme made up of different activities, such as cycling, trekking and, of course, skiing.
The physical training has been combined with a special diet and a mental programme aimed at strengthening the athletes’ character, to help them psychologically face such a tough feat.
For the record attempt, the Plan de Corones ski area has made available the “Lorenzi” slope, floodlit as bright as day for the occasion, which is served by a new 8-seater gondola lift with its valley station in Valdaora.
The slope has a vertical drop of 506.21 metres and a length of 1,680 metres, with a medium gradient typical of red runs. The minimum width is 60 metres and for the world record attempt the slope will be completely fenced off. The safety and slope demarcation measures are laid down by the FIS on the basis of its regulations. The gondola takes just over 5 minutes to get back up to the top of the slope.
Special feat, special skis!
For the feat, Salomon has designed and produced a special type of ski capable of withstanding prolonged stress while still ensuring great comfort.
The rest of the equipment will also be top-notch: the company Salice will supply helmets and goggles, while the ski suits will be provided by Vist.
For more information you can visit the official website; we leave you with a video and our best wishes to the whole 24h Kronplatz staff, hoping they succeed in this fantastic feat!
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