Unusual world record set in Valle Maggia

Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Valle Maggia, a 27-year old Brazilian who grew up in Switzerland has set a new world record this month. Laso Schaller is a man without fear. He proved this by jumping off the top of the "Cascata del Salto", a waterfall gushing to life with summer rains located in the depths of the Maggia valley where water comes cascading down over a sheer drop into a deep pool, creating a stunning natural amphitheatre.

Passionate canyoneer and high-diver he performed a breathtaking dive of 58.8m over the picturesque waterfall. A spectacular, extraordinary and unique flying stunt.

See for yourself:

FaMigros Ski Day at Bosco Gurin

Ready for a family ski race or a snowboarding competition? On March 8th, Migros is organising a family day at Bosco Gurin. After registering online, you can collect your race number between 09.00 to 10.00 at the "Village". The starting area will be at the Rossboda chairlift.

Whether on skis or snowboard, from three to five family members can participate. The process is very simple: there must be at least one parent-/ grandmother / grandfather, aunt / uncle or a godmother / godfather, a maximum of two adults and a child born in 2001 or younger, competing together. The time stops when the last team member crosses the finish line.

This fantastic experience on the snow only costs 110.00 CHF per family, for members of the "Famigros" and the "Swiss Ski" only 85.00 CHF. Daypass, race, lunch, medal and gift included.

Information and registration on www.famigros-ski-day.ch or directly at the counter of Vallemaggia Turismo, tel 091 753 18 85; info@vallemaggia.ch.

Venue: FaMigros Ski Day
Where: Bosco Gurin
When: Sunday, March 8th, 2015
Time: 9:00 collect race numbers, 10:30 race begins
Click here for the programme: http://www.famigros-ski-day.ch/Programma

Rivella Family Contest 2014

If you live in Switzerland, you will heard and seen - maybe even tasted - Rivella, created by Robert Barth in 1952, which is produced from milk whey. It's one of Switzerland's National drinks next to Sinalco, Isostar and Ovomaltine. Apparently, the name Rivella was inspired by the Ticino location "Riva San Vitale" and derived from rivelazione, in Italian, "revelation."

27 times Rivella's Family Contest organizers are building up their tents this winter throughout Switzerland. Don't miss the Ticino event in Bosco Gurin next Sunday, March 16th, 2014. Families can take advantage from this unbeatable offer: a day in the snow with the whole family for just CHF 85-.

What is the Rivella Family Contest all about?
Three to five family members start together with ski or snowboard down a simple race course. each team must have at least one grandparent, aunt/uncle or godmother/godfather, but max. two adults participating and at least one child born in 2000 or younger. The time stops when the last rider of the team crosses the finish line. Sounds like fun and an excellent excuse to get your family into gear before the snow melts.

Once you've crossed the finish line and the skis are stripped you can enjoy the activity programme organized by Swiss Ski and Rivella. The partners Reka and Switzerland Tourism also ensure attractive prizes.

The registration includes the following:
Race entry fee
Day ticket pass for max. 5 people
A warm snack at the end of the race
Children's entertainment by Swiss-Ski
Surprise gift for the whole family
Rivella six-pack

Register now here or for more info on Rivella Family Contest click here: http://www.swiss-ski.ch/.

Venue: Rivella Family contest
Where: Bosco Gurin (see map)
When: Sunday, March 16th, 2014
Time: 9:00 (race numbers to be picked up at Music Bar Rovana)
Race start: 10:30
Registration deadline: Friday, March 14th, 2014
Organization:
Gara Famiglie Rivella Family Contest
c/o Vallemaggia Turismo
Centro Commerciale
6673 Maggia

European Cliff Diving Championship in Ponte Brolla

"Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down."
Ray Bradbury, American author

Since 1992 International cliff diving competition, such as Swiss Open Championships, European Championships and World Championships have taken place in the magic Maggia Valley. With its countless breathtakingly beautiful, natural swimming pools, often surrounded by steep granite cliffs, the Maggia Valley belongs to one of the most spectacular natural settings for cliff diving in the world.

Fifteen times already, athletes have shown their technical skills in the Canyon of Ponte Brolla in this spectacular competition for men and women, divided in different categories in an exciting programme.

Thanks to the force of gravity, the human body needs just 3 seconds to fall 20 m, reaching a speed of almost 100 km/h. Formula 1 acceleration, without belts or helmet, and equipped only with a swimsuit and teeth protection.

A little history of Cliff Diving:

Cliff Diving’s birth place is on the tiny Hawaiian Island Lana’i. At the island’s South Western point lies Kaunolu which was an inhabited village, but is now a sacred ruin place. Verified by documents are the first Cliff Dives from Kahekili, chief of four Islands, who “flew” from the 63 feet Cliffs at Kaunolu in 1770. To prove loyalty and courage, Kahekili forced his warriors to follow his example. Legends say that Kahekili, nicknamed “birdman”, was flying from cliffs up to 400 feet (122 meters). Later, under King Kamehameha I, there were Cliff-Diving competitions held at Kaunolu. The Hawaiian expressions „lele kawa“ (diving without splash) and „lele pahu“ (diving with a lot of splash), testify to this past.

So head out to Ponte Brolla next weekend, reserve a table at the trendy Restaurant "Da Enzo" and after a delicious lunch, you'll be able to witness three breath-taking dives and perfect flying stunts from 13,15 and 20 m into the river Maggia.

Training will start on Friday, July 22nd, 2011. The competition will take place on Saturday, July 23rd at 14:00. For more info click on World High Diving Federation here: www.whdf.com

Panettone, the traditional Ticino holiday dessert

No Ticinese or Italian Christmas festivites would be complete without the traditional panettone. This sweet bread "gugelhopf" comes in all kinds of varieties; with or without raisins and candied fruit, drenched in limoncello or filled with chocolate chips. Panettone when eaten with a sip of sparkling spumante or Prosecco, guarantees good luck and good health for the coming year.

There are numerous myths and mysteries surrounding the origins of Panettone. It comes with a rich and varied history. One states that its birthplace is Milan. It appeared in Northern Italy around the 15th century. One legend says a Milanese nobleman Ughetto degli Atellani fell in love with the daughter of a poor baker named Antonio. To win her over, the nobleman disguised himself as a baker and invented a rich bread in which he added to the flour and yeast, butter, eggs, dried raisins and candied lemon and orange peel. After having the bread, the duke of Milan, Ludovico il Moro Sforza (1452 – 1508), agreed to the marriage, and encouraged the introduction of the new cake-like bread.

 

Other historians, as far back as the 1300s, claim to have found references to “pan dei ton” which means ‘luxury bread’, in Milanese dialect.

Should you feel up to an outing to the georgous Valle Maggia (which is one of Ticino's main tourist attractions in Summer) you could combine your trip with a visit to the Bakery Poncini.

Are you interested in baking a "panettone" yourself ? Here there is a great opportunity you can share with friends or family (12-25 persons)! During your visit, you will find Poncini's specialty "panettone" and its derivatives such as "panettone Nostrano" the Veneziana, the Colombia, the Triestina with chocolate chips, the Triestina with chestnuts and the Delizia with apricot . If Panettone is not your thing, you can also enjoy their delicious Kirsch Amarettis and Amaretti Bianchi.
Let yourself be surprised by their recipes and their production of natural and homemade specialties!
For a tour and tasting contact: Bakery Poncini, 6673 Maggia. Reservations required: 091/753 13 20.