Press release -
81st Inferno Downhill race: Warm temperatures dominate the race
The 81st International Inferno Races 2025 in Mürren are history: a Bernese Oberland triple victory was thwarted in both the men's and women's downhill races. Kilian Burri from Boltigen and Tanja Brawand from Grindelwald both came out on top. However, the race was clearly dominated by the warm temperatures, which simply made it impossible to win with a high start number.
A warm breeze was already blowing early in the morning as the first racers made their way to the start of the 81st Inferno downhill race above the Engetal. Although the racetrack firmed up a little during the night, the warm temperatures remained the dominators of the race, meaning that victory was already decided among the first racers: Kilian Burri from Boltigen im Simmental took victory in the men's race. With bib number 9, he completed the downhill in a fast time of 5:45;37, putting him more than two seconds ahead of last year's winner Alexander Zöschg from Tirol. Last year's runner-up Kilian Rufer from Zweisimmen took third place on the podium.
British woman and Italian thwart two Bernese Oberland triple victories
While an Italian thwarted a Bernese Oberland triple victory in the men's race, it was a British woman in the women's race: Amy Donnellon from the Kandahar Ski Club placed herself between the winner Tanja Brawand from Grindelwald and third-placed Corinne Rohrer from Frutigen. With a time of 6:40.42, the winner Brawand crossed the finish line an incredible 15 seconds faster than all the other women.
No significant incidents
Despite the increasingly soft race track and numerous falls, there have been no notable incidents. This is not least thanks to the 250-300 loyal helpers who put their heart and soul into ensuring that everything runs smoothly and safely every year.
Outlook for anniversary race in 2028
At 8.5 kilometres, this year's Inferno downhill race with a start above Seewlifuren at the entrance to Engetal and a finish at Winteregg was around 1 kilometre shorter than with start on the Kleine Schilthorn. For the 82nd edition of the Inferno Race, the new aerial cableway to Schilthorn will be in operation, allowing the usual start again. But it's already worth taking a look at the 2028 edition: That's when the Inferno descent celebrates its 100th anniversary. Because on 29 January 1928, five ski-mad Brits skied the very first Inferno Cup - with a steep ascent to the Schilthorn first, mind you!
