GENEVA, SWITZERLAND -A 43-year-old Vaud man is in critical condition following an avalanche above Bex, in the Vaud Alps, Friday afternoon. The accident occurred at la Pointe des Savolaires in the Bex commune, at 14:00.
The alert was given by his companion; the pair had been skiing with skins. The second skier was uninjured, although a witness was treated for shock.
Geneva airport safety
Geneva authorities insist they were right to retrieve badges from 33 employees who had access to the tarmac at the airport, citing a need for increased security. The move took place after a “thorough” review of people with access, which was helped by information provided by French and Swiss national security services. Le Temps (Fr)
Ceneri’s happy new hole
Another train tunneling success: this week workers broke through the 15.4 km Ceneri tunnel which will open in 2020. It is part of the rail mega-tunnel system that will link northern and southern Europe. The Gotthard train tunnel, which opens later this year, is part of the system; at 57 km it will be the world’s longest rail tunnel. Details, AlpTransit
Swiss enjoying Australian Open
Roger Federer Friday celebrated his 300th Gran Slam match victory, over Grigor Dimitrov; he reflects on his career on the ATP tournament site. Federer is through to the final 16 at the Australian Open and Stan Wawrinka is through to the final 8 after winning his 400th ATP World Tour level wins. Wawrinka was the talk of the circuit in a fluorescent shirt.
In women’s tennis, tune in Sunday: “No. 12-seed [Swiss] Belinda Bencic and No. 5-seed Maria Sharapova will meet for the first time in their careers on Sunday (first match, Rod Laver) in an intriguing match-up that could lead to a potential quarterfinal match against Serena Williams.” (Sports Illustrated, full story)
Davos sideline
Reports from the World Economic Forum in Davos (23-26 January) are mostly about business and politics, but a sideline story caught world attention this week: 12 Swiss soldiers were sent home after being found with small amounts of cannabis and cocaine. (RTS)