24 January, the 12th edition of the Alpina Cup took place under radiant sunshine, bringing together students from the Gymnasium in Gstaad, Gstaad Hockey players (juniors and seniors) and Institut Le Rosey for a spirited competition in skiing and ice hockey. The annual event, initiated to foster closer ties between local and international students, has become a highlight of the winter sports season.

A tradition of friendly competition
“Until about ten years ago, there was virtually no contact between local students and those from Le Rosey,” explains Andrew Spencer, teacher and head of Le Rosey’s ice hockey team. “We wanted to change that, so we partnered with The Alpina Gstaad to create this event.” Since its inception, Spencer has played a key role in organising the competition, which features a ski and snowboard race followed by an ice hockey match. These sports naturally fit, as both schools encourage their students to embrace winter sports.

The competition culminates in an awards dinner at The Alpina Gstaad, the event’s main sponsor. This year, 100 participants, including students, teachers, local hockey players and organisers, celebrated a day of intense but friendly rivalry.

Le Rosey dominated, but Gstaad clinched the bell
With high spirits, students and teachers gathered on Wasserngrat for the ski races. Gymnasium Gstaad aimed to reclaim the coveted cowbell trophy, while Le Rosey was determined to repeat its previous year’s victory.

Olympia from Le Rosey delivered a standout performance, winning the girls category with an impressive time of 42.80 seconds, narrowly edging out local skier Milena Matti by just 0.12 seconds. In the boys division, Gymnasium Gstaad’s Silas Däpp, a FIS ski racer, secured first place with a blazing time of 39.12 seconds. Le Rosey swept the snowboard category, taking the top three podium spots, and alumnus Ben Worbs won the “Gent’s” category.

Despite Le Rosey’s strong individual performances, Gymnasium Gstaad narrowly claimed the overall victory, thanks to the combined times of its top four skiers in the boys and girls categories.

Ice hockey thriller ends in nailbiting victory for Gstaad
The rivalry continued in the evening on the ice, where the hockey teams played a tense match. Last year’s champion, Le Rosey, led by three goals through the first two periods. However, the Gstaad team mounted a spectacular comeback in the final third, securing a dramatic 10-9 victory.

Even with a last-minute timeout and an extra attacker, Le Rosey could not equalise. Oscar from Le Rosey thrilled spectators with a hattrick in the first period, but the well-balanced Gstaad team, composed of local hockey club players, students, and senior members of HCGSL, ultimately proved too strong. The Le Rosey team featured students, teachers, alumni, and friends of the school, creating a dynamic and diverse lineup.

The Spencer Legacy: A father-son duo on ice
Among the standout competitors were the Spencers, a family wellknown in the local sports community. Andrew Spencer and his sons, Jack and Oscar, are fierce contenders on the slopes and ice. Jack, now a Swiss-Ski C-team member, was absent this year due to FIS racing commitments. However, Oscar took up the challenge, demonstrating remarkable skill alongside his father. “At some point, you realise they’re faster than you,” Andrew laughs. “That’s the way it should be.”

Night of celebration at The Alpina Gstaad
The day concluded with a celebratory dinner at The Alpina Gstaad. Christophe Gudin, Director of Institut Le Rosey, Christoph Däpp, Head of Gymnasium Gstaad, and Nadine Friedli, General Manager of The Alpina Gstaad, all emphasised the deep and longstanding connection between the Saanenland and Le Rosey, whose students have wintered in Gstaad for over a century.

BASED ON AVS | ELISA OPPERMANN