Tomás Aguiló, Peter Treichel and Pablo Finster training in Switzerland. Photo: Courtesy Tomás Aguiló.
Ang Glacier Patrol was created in 1943, during the WWII. Originally the aim of this race was to organize the work of Swiss Army platoons and improve mobilization on the wild land frontier in the framework of a possible German invasion.
Soldiers sent to protect their country in the high peaks of freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, unknowingly, is the foundation stone of a sport that today continues to grow and will be part of the 2026 Winter Olympics: cross-country skiing.
Meanwhile, the Glacier Patrol (Glacier Patrol) became its highest exponent. This “mother contest” was organized by local army and consisted of 1,500 teams consisting of military or civilians consisting of three people.
Peter Treichel (left) and Pablo Finster (right) train in Arolla. Photo: Courtesy Tomás Aguiló.
In this edition -which begins on April 25 and ends on May 1-, will feature Argentina and this is the first time a team in South America has participated in the competition. There are three Argentines in Europe who are making history and want to put light blue and white as high as possible. And as for glaciers, even better.
The towns of Zermatt and Verbier are the hosts of the long -awaited event that usually takes place every two years in the country of chocolates, watches, knives and banking secrets. For some, it is largest sporting event in the country. People gather at the edge of the finish line to see the participants, regardless of the weather or time. The community participates and even shows up at specialized ski areas, with risks associated with it, just to show their support or bring food or drink to the patrols.
Whether cycling has the Giro d’Italia or the Tour de France, the running the historic tours in New York or Boston and Formula 1, the Monaco Grand Prix, the ski tour has its equivalent in Glacier Patrol.
Source: Clarin