Second anniversary of the destruction of the Königssee Ice Arena

Königssee (FIL/21 July 2023) It has been two years since a violent storm with heavy rainfall severely damaged the Eisarena Königssee. The upper part of the 2021 World Championship track from the men's to the women's and doubles' start was destroyed.

Two years have passed since the flood. In the meantime, the construction of the ice arena has overcome several hurdles. Politically, the Berchtesgadener Land district council has approved the preliminary design for the reconstruction with a majority vote. The final decision is expected in October 2023. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2024.

The plans include the demolition of the upper part of the track and the building of the men's start. This will reduce the length of the men's racing distance. The start area for the men's singles will have to be rebuilt. For this purpose, the start house at the women's, doubles` and bobsleigh start will be raised and the start area will be redesigned and made largely barrier-free. The start house will then be the same for all disciplines.

Track director Markus Aschauer is also chairman of the FIL track commission and is considered an expert in the construction of artificially-iced tracks worldwide. "The planning for a modern and especially energy-efficient artificial track is already well advanced. Every Wednesday we have a construction meeting. The planning for the new start building is very advanced. The track planning is ready and this has been accepted by the world federations FIL and IBSF," Markus Aschauer reported. Of course, no German member of the track commission has accepted a German track. The international federations sent track construction experts from Austria, Italy and Latvia, who approved the concept, the track profiles and the plans," he said.

Markus Aschauer went on to say that the speed from the men's start will be reduced by about two or three kilometers per hour in the upper section. Other than that, not much will change. The goal is also to be able to start the women's doubles from the double start, like the men do.

A lot of work has been done behind the scenes, even if not much has been seen on the track since last year. "The new start house was planned to be handicapped accessible. This means that the athletes do not have to carry their sports equipment to the start, but can use the elevators. The electrical planning for the overall concept has already been completed," says Aschauer. Technical improvements will be made to the refrigeration system to make it more energy efficient. An automated, weather-dependent control system for the refrigeration plant will make much more efficient use of energy and conserve resources in the future.

"In addition to the energy-related innovations in the refrigeration system, we have also planned innovative ideas for the lighting concept. The artificial lighting will be controlled automatically by energy-saving sensors," says Markus Aschauer. "In addition, we will be the first track in the world to use RGBW LED lighting. This will allow us to use colored light as well as white light. In the area of safety, this also offers the possibility of warning in the event of danger. This should reduce or even prevent accidents. The safety concept is particularly important to the operators at Königssee. "Our safety system is again planned with a barrier system at all start heights. Preventing accidents is very important to us. By the way, the new Olympic track in Cortina is also planned with a barrier system at the starts.”

For energy reasons, the entire track will be covered, and the lighting will be computer-controlled in sections depending on the amount of daylight. Markus Aschauer explains: "The track is divided into several sectors. There is full lighting only in the area of the moving sled. In the other sectors, the lighting is reduced. The control is automatic and very efficient, depending on daylight and the onset of darkness.”

In addition to the lighting, Königssee is also getting a new sound system. Light and sound emissions will be planned, controlled and reduced in a more targeted manner. "The overall objective is very ambitious. We want Königssee to have the most modern track in the world," says Markus Aschauer.

The most important thing now is to start dismantling the upper section of the track up to the old men's start as soon as possible. Suction dredging is planned for the near future. Only then will the final damage assessment be completed and demolition begin. The project includes a new large debris dam, as well as small debris landing areas and drainage facilities for the small debris that can come out of the mountain. The goal is to be optimally prepared for the next so-called "flood of the century" at Lake Königssee. In the fall of 2025, women's singles, all doubles and bobsleigh racing will resume. In the fall of 2026, everything will be ready again, including the men's start for luge.

Caption: Königssee track director Markus Aschauer with his assistant Hannah Lochner