2010 sees the 80th anniversary of the FIS Alpine World Cup races on the Lauberhorn in Wengen (SUI) that were first staged in 1930. During this entire time, the organizing committee has had only two leaders: Ernst Gertsch, founder of the legendary race with the backdrop of the famous Bernese Oberlander peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, and from 1970 onwards, his son Viktor. The list of anniversaries at this year's Lauberhorn races also includes Viktor Gertsch (President) and Fredy Fuchs (Chief of Competition until 2000 and since then Vice President) celebrating 80 years at the head of the organizing committee. Moreover, 80 years is the current length of involvement by Swisscom (formerly PTT's) with communication technology on the Lauberhorn whilst Longines, the official timekeeper, is celebrating half a century of timing the race.

The 2010 races also mark 50 years with international transmission of spectacular television pictures from the longest World Cup downhill race. It was 50 years ago - on 9th January 1960 - that Swiss Television (Schweizer Fernsehen SF) realized the first international live transmission of the Lauberhorn race. At the time, twelve countries saw the Eurovision production delivered by 30 staff, including four cameras transmitting images of the race course. More than ten tons of material was transported by rail and 14 km cable was used. 50 years on, the SF production of the races still requires significant technical effort: in fact 110 employees of SRG SSR idée suisse are in Wengen and 20 cameras will produce the action on and along the downhill course for the global signal. For the national Swiss production, there are three additional live cameras. The signals are transmitted with a new fiber optic connection from the finish house in Wengen to the OB van located in Lauterbrunnen, which helps to largely eliminate the complicated transport of broadcast units and technical infrastructure by train or helicopter to Wengen.

FIS news
13/1/2010

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