Followers are the lifeblood of the sports activities world. They carry the vitality, create the ambiance, and provides that means to each athlete’s effort. October twenty fifth, the World Cup season formally started — not just for the racers, however for his or her followers as nicely. As all the time, Sölden delivered a spectacular begin.Recognized for opening the Alpine World Cup, the occasion celebrates fan golf equipment and their vibrant communities. Yearly, Sölden reveals why it’s the beating coronary heart of early winter.
Loud and Proud
Guests can’t miss the marching band in colourful costumes performing on the fan membership grandstand on Saturday. The Guggamusik Kundl group involves Sölden yearly to get the gang dancing, fill the air with constructive vitality, and have a good time.“Sure, we come right here yearly for the World Cup. We all the time put together a number of songs only for this event. Personally, I find it irresistible — we’re form of like cheerleaders. Yearly it’s a beautiful ambiance, irrespective of the climate,” one of many musicians advised us.
They’re not the one supply of noise and pleasure within the fan zone. The Swiss make their presence identified with the ringing of cowbells — their signature means of cheering racers towards high performances. And it appears to work. Marco Odermatt opened the season with one other victory, whereas Lara Intestine-Behrami claimed third to the joyful clang of the bells.
The Fan Membership Parade
However the grandstand is simply a part of what Sölden affords its devoted followers. Probably the most passionate and artistic teams spend weeks getting ready for the large parade by way of city, dressing within the colours of their nation or favourite skier. Locals and guests alike eagerly anticipate the annual occasion.
A Household Custom
“We find it irresistible with the youngsters — they’re all the time interested in all of the nations, they see one thing new each time, and infrequently come house with stickers or sweets. We even acknowledge a number of the folks as a result of Fabio Gstrein is from right here, and his fan membership joins too,” shared Julia, a mom of two from the Ötztal valley. Judging by the stickers overlaying their jackets, her youngsters had come house with new pursuits in Croatia.
Behind the Scenes of Group
We spoke with Heike Klotz, the crew supervisor of Ötztal Tourism, who oversees the fan parade and the fan golf equipment, to be taught in regards to the group behind these occasions.“Earlier than the race weekend, normally in September, we ship info to all fan golf equipment about tickets and logistics — they should e book their locations early so we will plan the capability of the stands correctly. Simply earlier than the races, we open the Fan Membership Workplace right here in Sölden, the place membership presidents choose up tickets and get closing directions for the parade.”
Followers Deliver the Vitality
As soon as the racing begins, the fan golf equipment handle their very own cheering types. Cameras from the dwell broadcast usually seize their vitality between the runs — that extremely animated crowd you see on display is them.
Competitors and Celebration
However the actual spotlight for the organizers is Saturday night — the Fan Membership Parade.“In the beginning of the parade, every registered membership will get a quantity and closing instructions,” Klotz explains. “Because it’s a contest, now we have 5 judges within the crowd who determine who wins the prizes for the highest three locations.”
Creativity Counts
The prizes are fairly beneficiant, so we requested what precisely the judges search for.“Every part — creativity, costumes, membership measurement, vitality, habits, and the general message. It’s a mixture of all that, and all 5 judges must agree. The organizers by no means reveal who the judges are.”
Unforgettable Moments
Selecting a winner in such a subjective contest isn’t straightforward. Have been there any unforgettable moments?“Undoubtedly the French! They’ve been coming each single 12 months since Tessa Worley’s time. Round fifty of them, all the time in wild costumes, stuffed with vitality and concepts — we love seeing what they’ll do subsequent. They simply need to have enjoyable, and now they’re cheering for Léo Anguenot.”
A Celebration, Safely Executed
And what about security throughout such a giant occasion?“After all,” Klotz says, “security is a precedence. That’s why golf equipment obtain detailed directions upfront. We now have safety on website, however actually, we’ve by no means had any issues. Followers journey from throughout Europe and the U.S. to assist their athletes — by no means to trigger hassle.”
She smiles, recalling the pandemic years: “Throughout COVID, there have been races, however no followers. It felt like ghost races. The vitality of followers is irreplaceable — that’s why we put a lot effort into celebrating them.”
Proud Dad and mom and Passionate Supporters
Throughout the opening weekend in Sölden, we met many fan golf equipment — some extremely organized, others a bit spontaneous, however all stuffed with ardour. In the meantime, maybe the loudest — and happiest — group was Marco Schwarz’s devoted fan membership. Wearing matching inexperienced jackets, they cheered each flip of his run, waving flags and rooting.“My mother and father love touring to my races along with the fan membership,” Marco advised us. “It’s made up of shut buddies and acquainted faces. I’m actually glad to have them — after the races I all the time attempt to take a second to seize a espresso with them.”
Feller’s Twin Nations of Followers
His teammate Manuel Feller enjoys the distinctive privilege of getting not one, however two fan golf equipment — an Austrian and a Norwegian one.“It’s all the time an amazing pleasure to fulfill my followers,” he mentioned. “I believe it’s fairly uncommon to have such a giant fan base outdoors your personal nation. Even right here in Sölden, a few of my Norwegian followers got here to cheer for me. I’m actually completely happy that my snowboarding can convey folks pleasure — and I all the time make time to have fun with my fan golf equipment. I’m very grateful for them.”
Holdener’s Loyal Swiss Crew
Among the many girls, Wendy Holdener stands out along with her visibly united group — 27 members wearing an identical shirts and hats, proudly waving Swiss flags from the grandstand. Though Wendy didn’t obtain her greatest outcome this time, her fan membership remained cheerful and supportive all through the race. They’re already planning to journey to Levi, the place about ten of them will probably be cheering for her.
Ljutić’s Rising Fan Motion
One other robust fan motion is rising across the younger Croatian star Zrinka Ljutić, who has been gaining outstanding assist over the previous 12 months, each seen and emotional. Her followers from Croatia had been joined in Sölden by Slovak supporters, who’re nonetheless ready for the comeback of their very own champion, Petra Vlhová, who continues to get well from a severe harm.The nice and cozy friendship between Slovak and Croatian followers retains each communities lively and impressed. A younger Slovak fan named Nina even based a fan membership for Zrinka in Slovakia.
“I need to thank everybody for all of the love and assist I really feel — it offers me such a lift! I can’t wait to really feel your pleasure once more on the subsequent races,” Zrinka lately shared along with her followers.
Extra Than Racing
After all, Sölden provided loads of enjoyable past the fan membership actions — bands and DJs occupied two phases, there have been public bib attracts, and the award ceremony.Nonetheless, it’s the concentrate on followers that really units Sölden aside — giving them the spark and vitality to begin the season robust and galvanizing much more folks to affix this colourful, passionate neighborhood.
