An eight year gap between the last Winter Atomiade and the recent one was too long a time for those who love and practise skiing, snowboarding and cross-country. The last Winter Atomiade event, organised by the Institut Laue-Langevin ILL in Alpe d’Huez, France in 2017, gathered more than 200 participants. The 14th Winter Atomiade planned by CERN in 2020 was to take place in Avoriaz, France was unfortunately cancelled due to the corona pandemic. Since none of the large research centres opted to organise this year’s event, the ASCERI board stepped in.
The leading board of the ASCERI (Association of the Sports Communities of the European Research Institutes) organised the 14th Winter Atomiade. More than 120 sports enthusiasts met from 15th to 22nd of March 2025 in Reit im Winkl, known to a good part of the participants from the very successful Winter Atomiade in 2008. Christoph Wilhelm, vice president of ASCERI, was in charge of the sports organisation at the time and remembered the professional manner of the locals and that tourist office supported such sports events.
The planning started early in 2024. With the help of the tourist office, the preparation of the alpine ski races was taken on by the Schiclub Waidring, Austria. The cross-country races were planned to take place at the Chiemgau Arena near Ruhpolding. The Chiemgau Arena is known for its professional organisation of national and international events, even under difficult snow conditions.
The participants from fourteen research centres (AIT Seibersdorf, Belgoprocess, CEA Cadarache, CEA Saclay, CERN Geneva, FZ Rossendorf, GSI Darmstadt, KIT Karlsruhe, ILL Grenoble, JRC Ispra, JRC Geel, JRC Karlsruhe, JRC Petten, PSI Villigen) gathered for the first time Sunday, 16th of March. Most of the participants had inspected the alpine ski area of Steinplatte during the day, under slightly foggy conditions. Those who visited the Chiemgau arena were less enthusiastic due to very thin sheets of snow on the tracks and no possibility to train. The devastating news was already sent to the team captains on Friday, and came up during a captains meeting again. The temperature at the Chiemgau arena was above zero, also during night, for a couple of days and all cross-country races had to be cancelled. In the evening, although, a buffet during the opening event, in the Festsaal, the main town hall of Reit im Winkl, helped to regain forces. Life music triggered the third attraction of this sports event, which is having fun! After a few minutes, the floor was crowded with dancing scientists.
The alpine competitions did take place under good conditions on Monday and Tuesday. The course for the giant slalom was perfectly prepared. Nearly sixty participants, 17 female, 48 male, in five classes according to age, reached the finish line, the fastest in under 50 seconds for 890 meters. The next slalom race was specifically prepared for snowboarders. Eight men competed for the best performance. Rudolf from PSI made it in 40 seconds. The last race was set up as a combined slalom/giant slalom for skiers. The referee again saw nearly 60 participants fighting for their best performance.
The medal ceremony took place in the evening on the open-air stage of the Festsaal. Cold air was creeping through the clothes, nevertheless everybody stayed to the very end to honour the winning athletes. Rachel, the president of the ASCERI handed over the medals and sang the national anthem of the gold winning athlete (well, only the French anthem sounded perfect).
For Tuesday the parallel slalom was scheduled. It took place under optimal conditions with.good snow and blue skies. For the first time the impressive panorama of the Alpes could be enjoyed.
For the remaining days of the week, an alternative programme had to be set up. Another request to prepare the tracks of the Chiemgau Arena failed. For the training with cross-country skiing at the Hemmersuppenalm, tracks were prepared on request of ASCERI and a day trip to Salzburg and a fun event in Reit im Winkl was organised as a compensation on Friday.
More parties in the evening attracted everyone, independent of age and aching muscles. Live music during the Schneefest and the final evening gathering on Friday again filled the dance floor. Even Wednesday evening under the title “meet and relax” was taken over to party.
Most participants went back to their hometown and home institute with lots of positive memories. Everyone would certainly like to meet again for the next Winter Atomiade, which we hope will include the sorely missed cross-country events for this year's edition.
Michael Hagelstein