The origins of Speed Skiing
Speed skiing is a discipline that combines speed, technique, advanced equipment and human skill. It is one of the oldest forms of competition in the world of skiing, with a history that stretches back more than a century to the time when gold-miners and loggers began to organize meets and competitions in America's Rocky Mountains.
The first official competition took place in 1930 in Saint Moritz, where the Austrian skier Leo GASPERL set the inaugural world record of 139 km/h. Thanks to advancements in ski equipment, in 1978 Steve McKINNEY became the first person to reach 200 km/h, in Portillo, Chile.
Two years later, the discipline announced its arrival on the global stage with the launch of the first worldwide circuit. Today, the current world speed records are held by Valentina Greggio 247,083 km/h, and Ivan ORIGONE 254,958 km/h.
Riberal course
The competition will take place on the Riberal slope in Grandvalira’s Grau Roig sector. Upon a tower of 10 metres high by 18 metres long, skiers will be able to reach speeds of around 200 km/h.
The Riberal slope, which is the only facility in southern Europe that is capable of hosting competitions of this type, is a total of 887 metres long and has a run-out area of some 450 metres. The difference between its highest and lowest points is 200 metres (the altitude of the slope is 2,538 metres at the top and 2,338 metres at the bottom), in addition to the 10-metre start tower. These and other technical characteristics, such as the maximum gradient of 78%, will enable skiers to reach speeds of around 200 km/h.
Riberal slope: details for SDH and Speed One (S1)
- Start: 2.538 m
- Finish: 2.338 m
- Length: 887 m
- Maximum gradient: 78%
