source
The Kitz Charity is an event first thought of by Nikki Lauda and Bernie Ecclestone in order to support farmers in the South Tyrol region on the Austrian/Italian border. These farmers are in decline as it is far easier to sell your land for tourism development than to farm. Farmers genuinely struggle to make ends meet as the land doesn't allow them to increase productivity being on mountain slopes. The motoring community believes it is important to keep the traditions going even though these times are challenging .Due to Covid and lockdowns this year the Kitz charity event was cancelled and I am sure farmers will still be supported by this motoring community in some form of financial aid.
source
A fairly young Max Verstappen teamed up alongside Sainz and now Alpha Tauri team principal Franz Tost.
The Fitz Charity has managed to raise over 2.4 million euros since it first started 24 years ago. The event is organised for the day after the end of the Kitzbühel slalom event down the famous Steif slope. The event is known as the super bowl of the skiing calendar with over 100 000 spectators in attendance annually. Speed and Formula One go hand in hand so I can see the appeal for the teams to get involved in such an event. Carlos Sainz came third in charity event in 2016.
source
It is an event that is a must attend event if you are involved in motorsport as it is a serious networking event.
What is important about this charity is that it is supported by the motor racing fraternity and predominantly by Formula One. With Bernie Ecclestone and Nikki Lauda being the original organisers it was only fitting someone stepped up to replace Nikki. These days it is the job of Sebastian Vettel as race director alongside Nikki's wife Birgit Lauda who make sure the event continues in his name.
source
Vettel at the finish line in 2020 with his chequered flag doing the role as race director.
What I particularly like about this event is everyone from Formula One seems to get involved including most of the drivers that can ski. It is not surprising that they are all like a close knit family as many spend time together away from the track doing these types of charity events. Ex drivers like David Coulthard, Gerhard Berger and others also make their annual appearance at the event.
source
What is different about this charity race is times don't really matter and anyone can win it. The ski time is then multiplied by the team captain who rolls a dice multiplying it by whatever the number the dice lands on between 1 and 6. The sponsors of the teams normally front up the donations making sure a decent amount is obtained for the charity. Last year over 200 000 Euros was raised for the farmers in need.
source
Photograph taken in 2017 with Nikki Lauda and Bernie Ecclestone at their charity event when Nikki was still with around.
Sponsors get heavily involved like Tommy Hilfiger and Red Bull each year so it is part of the teams calendar to make sure the event continues keeping Nikki Lauda's legacy going. Nikki had made such a big contribution to the sport you were most likely advised by the teams to attend as a must do every year. Team bonding always plays such a huge role in team sports and by not attending it is never advisable for career moves. Vettel by not having a drivers seat this year was never going to happen as he is part of the Formula One family.