The images of the last few days have been encouraging for 3Tre fans and insiders, but now it’s official. The Canalone Miramonti has passed the FIS snow control with flying colors. The on-slope check was conducted by the International Ski Federation a few days prior to the 69th edition of the 3Tre FIS Ski Alpine World Cup Night Slalom, to be held in Madonna di Campiglio on Thursday, December 22nd.

Snowfall during the last few weeks, combined with cold temperatures with lows that have exceeded -10C and scheduled snowmaking by the team led by Slope Director, Adriano Alimonta, have covered Canalone Miramonti in a mantle of snow that appears to be in perfect condition. Barricading, which was carried out on Sunday, December 11 in advance of the falling mercury, also helped deliver these ideal results.

"When we started preparing the slope, the snow conditions weren’t ideal, but they improved over time, thanks to a mix of natural and machine-made snow," said Alimonta. "We were able to take advantage of the cold temperatures during these days to gain a solid base by working the couloir with water this past Sunday. The slope looks inviting and technical, as usual – compared to previous years there’s even a slight variation in line selection. Now we’ll try to complete the work to offer a gasp-worthy 3Tre, where every little detail will make the difference from the first to the last gate."  

Indeed, predictions for the Madonna di Campiglio night slalom seem more open than ever. Athletes will face the 3Tre with only one other special slalom in their legs, which happened last Sunday in Val d'Isere and was won by the young Norwegian, Lucas Braathen. 

The Norwegians will be the favorites to wear the Maglia Fulmine by the end of the two heats, thanks to the presence of the experienced Henrik Kristoffersen (three-time 3Tre winner) and Sebastian Foss-Solevaag (who finished first last year), and the other young hope, Atle Lie McGrath. Not to be underestimated are Olympic champion, Clement Noel, who saw his victory, which seemed a foregone conclusion last year in Campiglio, disappear at the last gate, Austrian Manuel Feller, Swiss racers Daniel Yule (twice champion in Campiglio) and Loic Meillard, and Swedish racer, Kristoffer Jakobsen. 

Instead, Italy’s hopes are once again pinned on South Tyrol's Alex Vinatzer (third in 2020), who will try to join the “club” of the world's slalom greats 17 years after the last Azzurri (Italian) victory by Giorgio Rocca on the Canalone Miramonti. Italy is also hedging its bets on experts Stefano Gross, Tommaso Sala, and Giuliano Razzoli, as well the emerging Tobias Kastlunger, who was tenth overall and first for the Azzurri in the Val d'Isere slalom.

The program for the 69th 3Tre will kick off on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 18:30 with the bib draw at Piazza Sissi, followed by a Meet&Greet with athletes from Italy, Slovenia, Austria, and Spain, organized by UYN, technical partner of the 3Tre Committee. On Thursday, December 22, the two heats (17:45 and 20:45) will be interspersed with the 3Tre Hour at 18:30 in Piazza Sissi. Closing events hosted by the 3Tre Party Night are also scheduled to take place in Piazza Sissi starting at 11 p.m. Tickets for the slalom are on sale at www.3trecampiglio.it.