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THE MEZZALAMA TROPHY.
MEN AND MOUNTAINS
The Mezzalama Trophy is the
one and only skiing contest which takes place at a high altitude,
and has its special niche in the history of mountaineering. It
is beyond doubt, the only one of its kind in the world, the hardest
and most emotionally demanding test in high altitude sport.
Its means completing about 40 km of difficult terrain on a route
winding through an area rich in history, an area sharing legends
common to the peoples of both sides. There is for example, the
ancient Colle del Teodulo, the "mons silvius", who
gifted his name to Cervino, which is linked to the frequent passages
of the holy bishop of Sion and his encounters with the devil.
In a later historical epoch and more favourable climate, it saw
the migration of the Walser Germans.
Then, there's the legend of Castor, coupled with neighbouring
Pollux by Swiss mountaineers, giving credibility to the myth
of the twin sons of Jove and Leda, symbols of fraternal love.
Then there's also Felik, in whose icy recesses the inhabitants
of the ancient village, deny blame for having chased the wandering
Jew from their homes.
The proposition of Mezzalama's friends did not immediately meet
with unanimous approval. The first perplexities concerned the
actual worth of staging the contest. The very concept of competition
was somewhat unacceptable to a ski mountaineer, who tries to
avoid duress. Apart from that, there was the question of speed
and the sense in seeking out a passage full of hazards, subject
to the caprices of the weather, which in turn gave rise to heated
discussion between opposite camps.
The view finally prevailed that speed was the safety factor which
provided a possible emergency escape from critical situations.
The participating teams, whether civil or military, represent
the cream of international alpine skiing.
The area is hazardous and treacherous, and nothing can be left
to chance improvisation. The course has to be accurately prepared
so that the safely of the competitors can to some extent be ensured.
Complex organisation brings together technicians, local operators,
the army, and the media, in a role that is perhaps not apparent,
but of prime importance for a smoothly run display, before, during
and after the competition.
Two overriding factors determine the final outcome of the entire
event: instable atmospheric conditions and the financial burden.
The start-line is fixed at 3.322 metres from the Teodulus pass,
at the feet of Cervino. The squads comprise three men, attached
to each other by means of a rope, who proceed towards the Breithorn
pass (3.826 m.), cross the Verra pass (3.861), touch the peak
of Castore (4.221 m.), the pass of Felik (4.061 m.), descend
at Q.Sella Hut (3.585 m.), ascend at Lyskamm's ridge (4.100 m.),
and cover the Lys glacier and Gnifetti hut (3.647 m.), to reach
the finish-line at Mount Gressoney-La-Trinite at 1.627 m. A run
for the few in whom so many believe. Can such a high calibre
display be forgotten and packed into some archive?
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