La Chaux-de-Fonds 
Gällivare
Viljandi 
Huruksela 
Conversion of Olympiaschanze at Garmisch-Partenkirchen
on 2006-12-09
The first ski jumps on the Olympic Hill of Garmisch-Partenkirchen were performed in 1934. After World War II the characteristic steel inrun tower was set up in 1950 and now, 57 years later, it will be torn down and replaced by a sustainable new-construction.
Set up already in 1950, the 38 meter high steel-made inrun tower of Olympiaschanze of Garmisch-Partenkirchen has been a fixed constant in the ski jumping calendar for years. Already in 1934 the first 70 meter hill was inaugurated for the Winter Olympics in 1936, but after the reconstruction of the tower the hill profile remained mainly unchanged. That's why it is clear that the FIS insisted in profound changes in order to fulfill modern requirements with the hill certificate running out this year.
After the New Year's competition in 2007 the old tower will be torn down and a completely new K125 facility with modern profile will be constructed after the plans of "Planungsgemeinschaft Mayr + Ludescher + Partner Ingenieure München, terrain: loenhart&mayr Architekten und Landschaftsarchitekten München und Sieber + Renn Architekten Sonthofen". The elegant hill design of terrain: loenhart&mayer architects Munich, in combination with the technical know-how of Sieber + Renn who were already responsible for the planning of the new Schattenbergschanze at Oberstdorf, won the bidding over internationally renowned concurrency like Zaha Hadid from London who planned the Bergisel at Innsbruck.
For a total amount of 13.5 m Euro the take-off will be displaced upslope by 12 meters, the space gained under the upper part of the landing hill will the be used by a new functional area, which shall make the access to the neighbouring K80 hill easier, too. This makes elaborate soil works in the new part of the hill nearly unnecessary. On an a bit lower level the new two-story judges tower with coaches and viewing platform will be placed.
The highlight of the new Olympic hill will be without any doubt the 50 meter high skewed and futuristic looking inrun tower, which will be covered by translucent polycarbonate plates and have a visually shining effect. The new sign of the market community Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which will be a symbol of the dynamics of a ski jumper during his flight, will transform into a widels shining sculpture during evening hours and night events. A novel sloped lift will transfer ski jumpers to the top. The head of the tower will then host the warming room, as well as a media and viewing platform.
For FIS Race Director Walter Hofer the high functionality was the winning criteria of the project. "On the first glimpse the draft of the new jumping hill looks very futuristic. But on the second spot the hill profile is very traditional, like the ones of the flying hill in Oberstdorf or Holmenkollen in Norway. Additionally the new Olympiaschanze is carrying all the necessary logistics and functional equipement that is needed to succesfully host a main international event like the New Year's competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen."
Even for spectators in the ancient Olympic ski stadium of 1936, which will of course be kept in its original shape, there will be some changes, because it is planned to build a new slope stand on the side of the judges tower in a few years. Ski jumpers and technical staff may as well look forward to a new jumper's village on the level of the new functional area below the upper landing hill.
After the last New Year's competition on the old jumping hill in 2007 the "old lady" will be torn down in April 2007 and reconstruction works for the new facility start, because there is only less than one year of construction time planned. Already for the Four Hills Tournament 2007/2008 the new K125 Olympic Hill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen will premier. Hopefully the new ski jumping hill will be used as long and succesfully as the existing one with its prominent green steel tower.
Ski Jumps:
Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Olympiaschanze)Links:
| terrain: loenhart&mayr |
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