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Unfälle und ähnliche Ereignisse können für Menschen, die mit ihnen in Berührung kommen, auch dann sehr belastend sein, wenn sie selbst körperlich gar nicht verletzt wurden. Neben den direktbetroffenen Opfern können Ereignisse auch Angehörige, Zeugen oder Erst- und Nothelfer in Mitleidenschaft ziehen. Sie brauchen professionelle Unterstützung.

Wer Risiken früh erkennt, kann mit den Betroffenen darüber reden und sie darauf vorbereiten, was passiert, falls sie eskalieren. Kommt es dann zu einem Ereignis, muss auch das nicht unbedingt zu einer Krise führen. Betroffene und eine Ereignis- und Krisenorganisation, die nicht einfach «kalt erwischt» werden, können den Ausbruch einer Krise womöglich gemeinsam verhindern.

Direct contact with those affected and dealing with allegations and criticism are among the important tasks of a modern event and crisis organization. The Governor of Tyrolean* Anton Mattle remembers the avalanche disaster of 1999 in Galtür, which he himself experienced as a participant.

If an organization faces an event or crisis situation, a management team is usually appointed. Its members come from organizational units that are affected by the situation or are experts who can help those affected. “Everyone needs everyone then,” says experienced crisis manager Martin Bühler, who is now President of the Canton of Grisons.

The diesel scandal plunged the Volkswagen Group overnight into the deepest crisis in its corporate history. “Our people were suddenly ashamed — even though the vast majority had done nothing wrong,” recalls crisis communications expert Nicolai Laude, who became the voice of this crisis as Volkswagen's “Spokesperson Diesel Issue.”

Einar Hedegart won the Engadin Ski Marathon 2026. After a fall with a broken stick, he fought his way back to the lead and beat Jason Rüesch and the surprising Frenchman Sabin Coupat in the sprint. For women, the German Anna Endress beat the favorite Giuliana Werro from Zernez in a heartbeat final. Frenchwoman Clémence Didierlaurent finished third.

Czech Fabian Stocek and Elmerin Malia Elmer won the 8th Engadin night run. Both set a new track record. With clear skies and excellent cross-country skiing conditions, 1,000 participants set off on the route from Sils/Segl to Pontresina for the first time.

People who have fallen into a crisis have lost confidence that their lives will change for the better again in the foreseeable future. Confidence is based on trust in other people, says psychiatrist Prof. Ulrich Schnyder. Because people are used to helping each other in difficult situations. Event and crisis management therefore has the task of promoting the confidence of those affected.

More than 13,000 skiers from over 60 nations will line up on Sunday for the 56th Engadin Ski Marathon and the 17th Engadin Half Marathon. The Elite Field is traditionally led by Swiss Athletes, but France is once again strongly represented. Most eyes, however, are likely to be on Einar Hedegart: The Norwegian won two gold medals and one bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Italy.

Giuliana Werro wins the Engadin Women's Run for the first time. The Zernezer beats Seraina Boner from Davos and covers the 17 kilometers from Samedan to S-chanf in a new record time. Helena Guntern from Ftan is third.

An event or crisis situation can affect any organization and any person. Viewed soberly, most of these situations are, at least in part, predictable. Risk analysis and appropriate risk management help to avoid being caught off guard by an escalation. Good risk management is essential for survival when working in areas of tension and crisis.

Event and crisis managers can learn a lot from medicine. When doctors talk to their patients, they explain diagnoses, show ways of treatment and, above all, listen carefully to those affected. Dialogue with those affected is also central in event and crisis management: Only when crisis management knows their situation and needs can it do the right thing. The dialogue with those affected should start long before an event or crisis begins.

With the 25th Engadin Women's Run, the traditional Engadin Marathon week begins on March 1. A record field is expected for the anniversary women's run and the 8th Engadin night run is already fully booked. The Engadin trail network is in excellent condition, meaning that well over 13,000 participants will start the Engadin Ski Marathon.

The risk situation for the village of Brienz/Brinzauls has fundamentally changed. There is no longer any danger due to a fall in the “Plateau East” or the “rubble pile above” and the newly created rubble pile above the village has largely come to a standstill. Until the risk posed by the new circumstances can be reassessed, the precautionary evacuation must continue.

The Graubünden mountain village of Brienz/Brinzauls can be lived in and entered normally again from next Monday. The movements measured on the mountain high above the village have calmed down in the last eight weeks to such an extent that the current entry ban and evacuation can be lifted after 62 weeks.

The media conference of the municipality of Crans-Montana on the New Year's Eve fire disaster has caused a very negative response both nationally and internationally. Massive criticism from outside can literally paralyze an organization in crisis mode. However, it must not hide in such a situation: right now, its stakeholders need guidance.

The voters of La Punt Chamues-ch want to restore the Inn and Chamuera in their municipal area. The municipal assembly unanimously approved both the cost sharing and the corresponding use planning. Implementation will take until the mid-thirties.

The risk situation for the village of Brienz/Brinzauls has fundamentally changed. There is no longer any danger due to a fall in the “Plateau East” or the “rubble pile above” and the newly created rubble pile above the village has largely come to a standstill. Until the risk posed by the new circumstances can be reassessed, the precautionary evacuation must continue.

The first conference on crisis management in St. Moritz brought together more than 60 experts from Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria. Using a real event as an example, they discussed how crisis management can work even during a major power outage.

The takeover of the tourist infrastructure on the Weißen Arena mountain by the three municipalities of Flims, Laax and Falera comes about. In Flims, too, with 85.48 percent, the voters said very clearly YES to a corresponding turnout. The community-owned Finanz Infra AG will now take over the railways, lifts, buildings and pipeline networks on the mountain from Weißen Arena Bergbahnen AG. The White Arena will then lease and continue to operate it.

Construction on the InnHub La Punt innovation campus has been ongoing in La Punt/GR since July. A presentation of the construction project to guests and media professionals focused on timber construction and the importance of work tourism for the region. The InnHub La Punt combines modern architecture with responsibility for the environment and the future. It is due to open at the end of 2028.

The municipalities of Flims, Laax and Falera are to protect the tourist infrastructure on the Weißen Arena Bergbahnen AG mountain from a potential sale and to take over it with a joint company. The mountain railways and lifts, mountain restaurants, commercial buildings and avalanche protection facilities will then be leased back and continued to operate by Weisse Arena Bergbahnen AG. Together, the municipalities should raise 50 million francs for this. The referendums on the project will take place at the end of October.

Bündner AVES Management AG will take over the operation of today's JUFA Hotel in Savognin from next winter. The popular three-star superior hotel is now called “AVES Hotel Savognin”. It opened in 2021 and has since developed into one of Savognin's important hotel businesses. AVES Management AG already operates the AVES Homebase hotel in Arosa.

Norwegian Håvard Moseby and Swiss Nadine Fähndrich win the 55th Engadin Ski Marathon. For men, a smaller leading group can never break out, resulting in a big sprint of over 40 runners. Among women, Giuliana Werro led confidently for a long time, but then had to admit defeat in the sprint. 12,400 runners started the race in bright sunshine.