The Soldeu platform is linked to the village 100 days ahead of the 2019 World Cup Finals
The project has reached its established deadlines and the skiable roof is operational for the Grandvalira ski season
There are exactly 100 days until the 2019 Alpine Ski World Cup Finals Andorra. On this symbolic date, the Soldeu platform project is currently reached its deadlines and the skiable roof is operational for the arrival of skiers coming to Grandvalira this winter. Thus, this major technical milestone to connect the Avet slope in the Soldeu sector with the village has now become a reality after 16 intensive and complicated months of work. The next phase planned is to connect the top of the 450-space underground car park with the path that connects to the village. Once this engineering works section has been completed, the platform will have a skiable surface area of 14,000 m2.
The works were initiated in August of 2017 and required three phases of highly complex technical and logistical work: the excavation, shoring and foundations; the skiable connection structure; and completion of the works for the World Cup Finals. In total, it required 70,000 m3 of earth to be moved, which was reused in the project, and the installation of 16 beams (the largest spans90 metres). Meanwhile, the underground car park, which is under construction, will have 22,000 m2 of space on three levels. As scheduled, the car park is set to be completed after the competition.
The architect coordinating the construction management of the project, Lluís Viu, has stated that “the project has followed sustainable waste management in accordance with the Environmental Department of the Andorra Government, taking special care with landscape integration and protecting the Valira de Orient River,” among others.
Meanwhile, 100 days from welcoming the World Cup Finals, the General Director of the Organising Committee and the Executive Director of the Soldeu project, Conrad Branch, thanked the companies that have taken part in this construction process for their hard work. “Our goal has been reached and the infrastructure will allow conditioning for the arrival stage for the runners and more space for the stands and media at the foot of the track,” he stressed. Just over three months from this major sporting event, Blanch explains the current status of the preparations for the Finals, emphasizing the next steps such as connections with the school project, ski club and businesses.
Grandvalira confronts the Finals with a vision for it to be a window into a world that goes well beyond sport. The Organizing Committee has focused on preparing for this event, which will also be presented as a social event with different programmes, shows and activities alongside the races. From the opening ceremony to the distribution of race bib numbers and the après-ski musical events at L’Abarset, the organisation has a dynamic schedule aimed at promoting the World Cup Finals.
After the Olympic Games and the World Championships, the Finals are the most important competition on the pro ski tour. For Andorra, it will be the most prestigious winter sport event that has ever been held in the country, and will be a turning point in the country’s trajectory as a sport destination.
The 2019 World Cup Finals will be held on the Avet (Soldeu sector) and Àliga (El Tarter sector) slopes of Grandvalira from 11 to 17 March, 2019, and will the world’s 25 top skiers in each category will participate.
Also participating in the event were the Mayor and President of the Organising Committee for the Finals, Josep Mandicó, and the Prime Minister of Andorra, Antoni Martí.
