Estavayer-le-Lac to host 2016 Swiss Alpine Games
Estavayer-le-Lac in canton Fribourg has been chosen to host the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Games Festival in 2016.
The small town on the southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel fought off stiff competition from Geneva and Colombier, canton Neuchâtel, to claim the right to hold the popular three-day festival.
A total of 150 of the 200 delegates from the Swiss Alpine Wrestling Federation present in Aigle on Sunday voted for Estavayer-le-Lac.
The main event of the festival is Schwingen - the traditional Swiss sport of alpine wrestling . The winner is crowned the Schwinger King, takes home a young bull and other prizes, and enjoys a hero’s status.
Other traditional sports, such as Hornussen, a team event, and stone throwing, are showcased.
The festival has a budget of SFr20-25 million ($21-27 million). The last event in Frauenfeld attracted some 200,000 spectators. The 2013 games are due to take place in Burgdorf, canton Bern.
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