INTRODUCTION TO CRESTA

The Cresta is a ¾ mile long ice run that winds its way from above the “Leaning Tower” in St Moritz down a steep gully through 10 testing corners, past the tiny hamlet of Cresta to the village of Celerina.The total drop is 514 feet and the gradient varies from 1 in 2.8 to 1 in 8.7.

The first Run was completed in January 1885 and took nearly 9 weeks to build. The Cresta Run is still built from scratch every year using the natural contours of the valley and earth banks to provide a framework on which to pile the snow. The Run from Junction is built first, the upper banks second. The Cresta usually opens just before Christmas and continues for 9 weeks until the end of February. There are over 30 competitive races and riding takes place every morning.

The Cresta has two starting points – Top and Junction. Only four riders have broken the 51 second barrier from Top, which gives an average speed of over 53 mph, ending at Finish at a speed close to 80 mph. The record from Junction is 41.27 seconds although beginners, who also start from Junction, are encouraged to aim for 65 -70 seconds. Riders brake using the rakes on their boots and if they are out of control they are certain to go out at Shuttlecock, the most famous corner of the Run. Fallers at Shuttlecock automatically become members of the Shuttlecock Club and are entitled to wear a Shuttlecock tie.

From its very beginnings the St Moritz Tobogganing Club has been a partnership between the people of St Moritz and the British, although members of the Club come from all over the world. The lure and excitement of the Run has always fascinated and always will. The first Lord Brabazon of Tara once wrote:  “The Cresta is like a woman with this cynical difference – to love her once is to love her always”.

Adapted from “The Cresta Run” by Michael Seth Smith and “The Cresta Run 1885-1985” by Roger Gibbs

KEY PERSONALITIES

Toboggans have evolved dramatically from the original Swiss “schlitten”, starting with the introduction of the “America” by Mr LP Child in 1887. This form of skeleton toboggan with metal runners was further refined by Mr Arden Bott in 1902, who added the sliding seat. This helped the rider move his weight backwards or forwards on the toboggan, although today the best riders’ toboggans have no sliding seats.The first rider to adopt the now traditional head first position was Mr Cornish in the 1887 Grand National. Mrs JM Baguley was the last lady to ride the Cresta in a race in 1925. Although ladies rode in practice after that date, due to the dangers and on medical advice, they were banned from riding in 1929. However, on the last day of the season only, ladies may now ride from Junction.

EVENTS

RESULTS

NEWS