Big Race Weekend In St Anton
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
The ski season continues in the Austrian Arlberg, and St Anton will be staging its annual big end-of-season race this Saturday, April 24, The White Thrill.
Every year the race attracts hundreds of racers from around the world to join the mass start at 2,650 metres above sea level and then set off down from the Vallugagrat Ridge to the valley at break neck speeds.
Around 500 skiers, snowboarders and Telemarkers are expected to take part in the race this Saturday, beginning in a semi-circle on Vallugagrat Ridge, the participants include top racers and local amateurs.
The descent covers nine kilometres and descends 1,300 vertical metres, but the race also includes a 150m section which ascends 37 vertical metres too, so is not downhill all the way.
Last year, local Paul Schwarzacher was the first ever to crack the eight minute mark and crossed the finishing line in just 7 minutes and 48 seconds. Times of between eleven and eighteen minutes are a good average, but most competitors are happy just to take part. A prize giving then party takes place after the race, which will be broadcast live on the internet at www.stantonamarlberg.com – 80,000 people from all around the globe followed the downhill race live online in 2009.
“The White Thrill†is one of the traditional “Arlberg Adler†triathlon disciplines. So whoever wishes to hold this coveted trophy aloft this summer 2010 must be one of the front runners in this race, then have the edge at the Jakobilauf half marathon on July 10th as well as the mountain bike marathon on the August 21st. The sporting challenge of this remarkable St. Anton Triathlon is undeniable, according to international participants.
