Cancellation of the 82nd Inferno Downhill overshadows strong results of the Bernese Oberland racers

This year's International Inferno Race in Mürren was cancelled due to a fatal medical incident. The rankings of the previous riders will be counted. The winners' podiums for both women and men are firmly in the hands of the Bernese Oberland.

This year's Inferno Downhill race on 24 January 2026 was cancelled after just over half of the competitors had started. A 69-year-old rider collapsed shortly before the finish line and died at the scene despite immediate resuscitation efforts. As a result, the organising committee decided to cancel the race. At the same time, those responsible decided to evaluate the results up to the point at which the race was cancelled.

Strong Bernese Oberland racers

Just the day before, the expected winning time was between six and seven minutes. However, the few centimetres of snow that fell overnight slowed the riders down somewhat, with the result that the winner, Mathias Reber from Niedersimmental, ultimately crossed the finish line with a time of 7 minutes, 16 seconds and 47 hundredths of a second. Reber had already won the Witches' Descent in Belalp a week earlier and confirmed his strong form in today's Inferno Downhill. Second-placed Michel Stähli from Grund near Gstaad followed him closely. Only 3 hundredths of a second separated the two Simmental natives. Third-placed Elia Saurer from Aeschlen lost a little more time, finishing just under four seconds behind the winner. Nevertheless, he put in an excellent performance with start number 315.

Women's podium also dominated by athletes from the Bernese Oberland

In the women's event, Michelle Hurni from Unterseen clearly outshone her competitors with an outstanding time of 7 minutes, 32 seconds and 69 hundredths of a second: Hurni was a full 24 seconds faster at the finish line than second-placed Arianne Wenger from Niedersimmental and would have ranked 12th in the men's rankings with her fast time. Lara Stern from Bönigen came third. Stern and Hurni were already among the frontrunners in the cross-country and giant slalom disciplines of the Inferno Combination and are therefore the big contenders for victory in the 41st Inferno Combination.

No races without numerous helping hands

The competitions and festivities during Inferno Week would not be possible without the tremendous dedication of numerous volunteers. Around 100 people during the week and an additional 300 at the Inferno Downhill race are responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Despite the sad incident that forced the race to be abandoned, the celebrations at the Alpine Sports Centre in Mürren will continue in the evening in a modified format.