Men’s Downhill Ski World Championships: Day Trippers

The Maloja Snake

Our alarm went off at 5 am this morning and we managed to make a rapid exit from our very un-Swiss hotel even though it is called the SchweizerHaus. One of the contributing factors to the speedy getaway was that we had carefully laid everything we needed out in order, almost as if it was a race we were going to for ourselves. Another helpful thing was that I decided to give my face a rest today and went out without make up apart from lip balm. What helped that decision was that we were going to St Moritz for the day and in approaching forty trips there, we know it to be one of the brightest towns on earth and so I would be wearing sun glasses.

It was still full dark as we walked briskly to the station under the light of a near full moon. We caught the 5.58 am with time to spare. It was an extra train put on by Rhätische Bahn to carry the hoards of ski fans going to St Moritz to watch the Men’s Downhill Ski World Championships. We were soon on our way and unusually long announcements were the order of the day, giving information as to the additional cards we were all given when we go on the train to allow us easier passage on the way back and also to give a lot of advice about this special day.

At least three quarters of the information would have been lost to us were in not for the intervention of the two very pleasant ladies who sat opposite us and having heard us talking to each other had asked if we understood everything that was said which we admitted that we had not understood much after the initial greeting!

Everything was kindly explained to us and we had a continued friendly conversation with our travel companions who we later discovered were Tamara Stoffregen and Katrin Röhnert. Tamara told us that women were coming through the train to give everybody support items for the important event ahead of us all later in the day, and that we may be photographed and so we must say if we did not want to do that.

When the ladies did arrive it was an astonishing amount of free fan wear for the day; A hat that boldly supported SWITZERLAND around the edge, magic gloves that were Tablet friendly, and a Swiss cow bell on a lanyard and a rattle.

Steve had booked our tickets online some time ago and the big surprise was that for this special event the tickets were valid for the mountain railway and the shuttle bus back afterwards.

On our arrival on the Rhätische Bahn, Steve and I instantly spotted that the famous Maloja Snake had chosen to visit for big race day also. We were overjoyed to see it since it is very hit or miss as to when you catch it. The Maloja Snake is a long slim cloud the obviously by the very name, one know that it does looks like a snake and slithers into the Upper Engadine from the Maloja pass from Italy. It is very beautiful indeed and almost ghostly since you can see it moving. On our holiday at Christmas we had hoped to see it but with wall to wall sunshine at that time it stayed hidden.

  

This day was announced to be Switzerland’s biggest party and there was already a warm party atmosphere everywhere by the time we arrived in St Moritz in fact the party had already started on the train before 8am in the morning.

We marched with the thousands of ski fans up into the town on our way to the race village with the slight exception that we stopped for breakfast in the best tea shop in the whole world; Hanselmanns, right in the centre of this favourite winter resort of the rich and famous. There we go with our champagne taste and beer money again.

We walked to the ski village after breakie and found that the party was already in full swing at 10am. A rap DJ was doing his darndest to get the crowd into the party mood as were the pretty young Caffee Latte (Sponsored) dancers who were performing with pom-poms and tight sparkly sport wear. Put you hands in the air , put your hands in the air…., Indeed.

The next entertainment were about as Swiss as it is possible to get. Making a lot of noise and showing how very entertaining a huge brass and drum group can be they were; Bazzaschuztler from Eichberg proclaiming that they were First Nation! Noisy, painted and enthusiastic and right IN YOUR FACE. First Nation Swiss I suppose that means. For Steve there could not have been a greater treat since he so loves Swiss music. 

To be continued…….