Bolzano/Covara, 18 November 2016 – The negotiations between the International Climbing Association UIAA and the Association Eisturm Rabenstein, organisers of the South Tyrolean World Cup event, were drawn out this year and particularly hard fought by both sides. Recently, an agreement was reached: South Tyrolean ice climbing enthusiasts can once again look forward to the best ice climbers in the world who will come to Val Passiria again in the 2016/17 season on the last weekend in January.

The South Tyrolean ice climbing World Cup event was in the balance because for a long time it seemed that Angelika Rainer and others would not come to Val Passiria this winter – or at least not for the World Cup. The economic and organisational differences between the Association UIAA and the organisers of the Eisturm Rabenstein seemed too great to bridge.

In the end, however, both parties agreed to a compromise that satisfies everyone. Corvara will organise the Ice Climbing World Cup from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 January 2017. Consequently, the most important competition in ice climbing will pitch its tents in the village at the foot of Passo Rombo with its 230 inhabitants for the fifth time.

“We are, of course, a little behind with the preparations. But we have everything under control and will double our efforts in the coming weeks to make up for lost time. South Tyrolean sports fans can look forward to another fantastic event in Val Passiria”, promised Chair of the Organising Committee, Reinhard Graf, who is also President of the Association Eisturm Rabenstein.

Ice tower openings on 26 December – Bauernmeisterschaft championships on 15 January

The tower can accommodate 18 ice climbers at a time, from beginners to top athletes and Graf and his team would like to open it as usual on Boxing Day (26 December). This is largely dependent on the weather. „At present it would be cold enough to start ice production, but a lot can happen until Christmas“, comments Graf.

A date for the second annual event taking place at the Eisturm Rabenstein was also set. The Psairer Bauernmeisterschaft championships take place on Sunday, 15 January 2017. Participants in this duathlon consisting of the disciplines hay bale pulling “Haiziechn” and ice climbing are traditionally largely farmers from Val Passiria.