blue Sport visits the gigantic festival area in Mollis shortly before the start of the ESAF. "We're ready," says Urs Bachmann, Head of Infrastructure.
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- The wrestling arena in Mollis is not only the largest stadium in Switzerland, but also the largest mobile grandstand in the world.
- The six grandstands have room for 56,500 wrestling fans. "Around 250 people were employed for the arena alone," says Urs Bachmann, Head of Infrastructure.
- The 30,000 or so components were all laid and bolted together on time. Mollis is ready for the onslaught of wrestling fans.
Gigantic! The arena for the Swiss Wrestling Festival in Mollis offers space for 56,500 spectators. Glarnerland is home to the largest stadium in Switzerland and the largest temporary grandstand in the world.
Each of the five federations has its own grandstand. Bernese, inner, north-eastern, north-western and south-western Switzerland have their own fan stands. There is also a grandstand for invited guests, sponsors and media representatives.
Bachmann: "We have a great team"
Around 3,000 tons of material were needed to build the six stands, which gradually arrived on site on time in the form of around 300,000 individual components. Most of the material had already been used for other major events in Switzerland and abroad.
The biggest challenge for Head of Infrastructure Urs Bachmann and his 500 or so helpers is the logistics. "Around 250 people were deployed for the arena alone," says Bachmann four days before the Anschwingen on Saturday.
He seems relaxed and at ease, as if he has just returned from vacation. Bachmann: "That's not the case, we've had an intensive time, but we have a great team and the result came out tiptop."
First meeting for dismantling has already taken place
He is looking forward to the festival. "It's a great facility in a wonderful setting." He won't be able to follow many courses at the weekend, Bachmann and his crew will still be busy. "We'll be out and about on the site, taking care of any repairs and maintenance."
Although the festival has not yet started, Bachmann is already thinking about dismantling. The first meeting for this has already taken place. "It will certainly be a challenge to motivate everyone for the dismantling. Of course, there was a lot of hype during the build-up."
Fancy a lifting platform? This and other prizes are up for grabs in the temple of gifts.
Image: blue Sport
"Ahoy" - which wrestler will soon be cruising around on this boat?
Image: blue Sport
The alphorn takes up a lot of space.
Image: blue Sport
One wrestler will be riding four new bikes after the weekend.
Image: blue Sport
A prize for the next generation of wrestlers.
Image: blue Sport
There are several beds to choose from.
Image: blue Sport
How about a trip to Florida after the Swiss Wrestling Championships?
Image: blue Sport
Winning a pressure washer with high pressure at the ESAF.
Image: blue Sport
This hand organ is something for a musical wrestler.
Image: blue Sport
Something nice for the garden.
Image: blue Sport
For some fresh sawdust at the next wrestling festival.
Image: blue Sport
"Bim bam": There are also plenty of cowbells to choose from at the Swiss Wrestling Festival.
Image: blue Sport
Which wrestler will choose this nail stick?
Image: blue Sport
To get this horsepower, you also need horsepower in the sawdust.
Image: blue Sport
Soon to be skiing with the same brand of skis as Marco Odermatt.
Image: blue Sport
Something new for the wrist.
Image: blue Sport
There are also several toilets to be won at the ESAF.
Image: blue Sport
Or your own whirlpool for relaxation.
Image: blue Sport
Fancy a lifting platform? This and other prizes are up for grabs in the temple of gifts.
Image: blue Sport
"Ahoy" - which wrestler will soon be cruising around on this boat?
Image: blue Sport
The alphorn takes up a lot of space.
Image: blue Sport
One wrestler will be riding four new bikes after the weekend.
Image: blue Sport
A prize for the next generation of wrestlers.
Image: blue Sport
There are several beds to choose from.
Image: blue Sport
How about a trip to Florida after the Swiss Wrestling Championships?
Image: blue Sport
Winning a pressure washer with high pressure at the ESAF.
Image: blue Sport
This hand organ is something for a musical wrestler.
Image: blue Sport
Something nice for the garden.
Image: blue Sport
For some fresh sawdust at the next wrestling festival.
Image: blue Sport
"Bim bam": There are also plenty of cowbells to choose from at the Swiss Wrestling Festival.
Image: blue Sport
Which wrestler will choose this nail stick?
Image: blue Sport
To get this horsepower, you also need horsepower in the sawdust.
Image: blue Sport
Soon to be skiing with the same brand of skis as Marco Odermatt.
Image: blue Sport
Something new for the wrist.
Image: blue Sport
There are also several toilets to be won at the ESAF.
Image: blue Sport
Or your own whirlpool for relaxation.
Image: blue Sport
