WHAT AN EVENT!

For the 89th time in history, the SASTeam and the BUSC-Team met in January for their annual interclub competition. What an unbelievable experience it is for a young SASler! The suite-life, the competition, the weight of History… Let me explain.

Kilian Tournier | SAS-Team Captain, SAS Genève

How it all started

Arriving in St.-Moritz on a beautiful Sunday, through the “Glacier-Express” line under the Furka, over the Oberalp, on the Albula line, is in itself already a wonderful journey in our beautiful Alps. For the young athletes of the BUSC and SAS Teams, arriving at the Badrutt’s Palace is something else though… Your luggage: taken care of; your shoes: the staff will make them shine; the breakfast: unbelievable; the Hotel spa: wow!

The spa was actually the first place of gathering of the SAS-Team. Learning to know each other within a 38-degrees outside jacuzzi makes everything easier. In the other corner of said jacuzzi, unseeable through the fog created by the pool, another gathering was happening. This is where the BUSC-Team was met for the first time.

Following a nice dinner, where the teams were mixed-up in order for people to meet in more suitable attire, an early night was called for everybody, tired of this long journey to the Engadin resort.

The competition begins

After this first casual meeting, it was time to find out where both teams stand on a skiing level. Although the weather was not really at the rendezvous on this first day, Fraser (BUSC-Team Member) was able to demonstrate his GS-skills in the permanent “fun-GSslope” of St. Moritz. It is said that ETH-researchers are still using very performant calculation machines to find out how you can win by more than five seconds on a 25 second slope… against some World Cup skiers!

That being said, we could already feel the first analysis within the teams, trying to determine which skiers would be the ones to be feared, on which ones some pressure would need to be put so his/her nerves would collapse in the race. The mind games began.

Then followed the first lunch in this exceptional Corviglia Ski-Club chalet. Of course, most of the team members were new to this exercise. Slippers and collars were forgotten, phones were used although it is strictly forbidden inside the chalet. Something to do better in the next days.

The ice-hockey confrontation of the afternoon was a simple formality win for the SAS-Team. However, we’ve heard that the British are quite fast on ice without their skates… But this story shall be told later.

After a quick detour to the hotel spa, we could meet the first guests that had arrived on this Monday, and they joined us at dinner. The day was achieved with a few drinks at a local pool bar.

Training, eating…and keeping up with tradition

The Tuesday morning was quite a stressful day for both team captains. The team order of skiing for the race had to be announced, and the (actually not very useful) draw has been done. Then, the racers were able to train in a slalom course set by the BUSC. We could analyze the slalom level of the other team, and rapidly see that the level of this year’s race was really high.

In the evening, the last guests had joined us for the pre-race dinner in a beautiful chalet facing the Badrutt’s, Chesa Veglia, where the decision to submit Romansh as the fourth Swiss national language to a popular vote was taken.

Both teams however had to call it an early night… to have time to go and keep up with tradition. Let’s just say that we found some grass in some rooms, wooden parts had been broken, but human bodies were (almost) intact. After this fun and scary part of the week, a good night of sleep was needed in order to be able to compete seriously the next day.

Racing in a “catsuit”, with a tie, a shirt, and a “Pulli”

The pioneers of the SAS would have found this normal, but for us, youngsters used to wearing only a “catsuit” (as the BUSC members call their racing suit), the shirt, tie and “Pulli” skiing was not a normal situation. But what a fun experience this was. Men helped women to tie their ties, pictures of this abnormal skiing gear were taken…and go!

Two runs of giant slalom and two runs of slalom to see who would not drink out of the full cup this year.

We could only admit a large defeat against the BUSC. In their own words, this is one of the best teams they had ever had. Multiple World Cup, World Championship, European Cup and NorAm Cup starts, very low FIS points in either discipline… We did not stand a chance against this high-quality team. However, we had a nice consolation with Gian-Andrea “Gianni” Hehli (SAS ZH) taking on the prize for the overall fastest racing of the day!

Another great consolation was our clear victory in the “Champagne Race”. As explained earlier, it was told that the BUSC-Team was very fast on ice without skates. But they were not fast enough! For the first time in many years, the SAS-Team could go home with the honorific title of winners of this particular race.

How it all ended

The evening gathering is well remembered by the undersigned… until the cup drinking part for the me to be designated as the SASTeam Captain, and an even bigger pride to captain this particular team. losing captain. After, I must say, everything got a little bit blurry. However, the traditions of this dinner are to be remembered. The same menu is served since the first edition of this iconic competition; toast to King George the Third and President Alain Berset were given; speeches were made by both captains; and the cup went around the honorary table, whilst the drinker was heavily guarded. After this, I think everybody went dancing at the King’s Club… but again, this part is a little bit blurry…

To all young SASlers: this event is a once in a lifetime experience! If you get the chance to participate, run to it! Words do not transfer the power of the feelings you get when you are there. Thank You, Anglo-Swiss!

In the name of all the BUSC and SAS Teams members, I want to thank Tom Kessler, Markus Almer and Frankie Clough for the organization of this 89th edition of the Anglo-Swiss. The atmosphere has been amazing for the four days, and new international friendships were built during the event. I also want to thank my teammates for the incredible fun we all had together. It has been a real honor for

The races of 11th and 12th January 1925 are regarded by both Lunn and Amstutz as the beginning of the Anglo-Swiss. In this first race, the British Team officially represented Great Britain. A race on equal terms, in other words between two student ski clubs, only became possible when Lunn founded the British Universities Ski Club (BUSC) in December 1926.

1 Both Teams with skiing gear. Behind,

Frankie Glough (BUSC's Head of Delegation; Julia Steiner (SAS BE); Morgane Vullioud