A substantial fleet of Hitachi excavators and wheel loaders have been involved in extensive construction and renovation work to prepare for the 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. The event in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, is expected to be broadcast to more than 500 million people worldwide on 8-21 February.

The Hitachi machines, including ZW140-5, ZW150-6 and ZW180-6 wheel loaders, and ZX210-5 and ZX130-6 excavators, have been used for clearing snow, preparing the ski slopes and race arrival area, as well as building stands and VIP areas. They were supplied on an exclusive rental contract to local construction company Alfarè and event organisers Cortina 2021 Foundation by authorised Hitachi dealer Franco Clò Srl.

The aim of the construction and renovation work was to create the best conditions in line with international ski competition standards. Throughout the event, the Hitachi machines will remain on standby in the race arrival area and the centre of Cortina for any necessary work. The wheel loaders will maintain the ski slopes both during and after the event.

“When you talk about wheel loaders, you can only really talk about Hitachi,” said Riccardo Alfarè, who has been in charge of the Zaxis medium excavators and ZW wheel loaders at the finish line of the ski slopes. Andrea Clò, owner of Franco Clò Srl, added: “We felt proud to provide Hitachi machines to customers working on such a special event.”