2023-12-03 14:26:02
After the cancellations in Beaver Creek, real feats of strength await Vincent Kriechmayr, Marco Schwarz and Co. in the European classics. Saalbach, on the other hand, is not an issue as a replacement location in the racing calendar, which has a chaos to solve.
This has never happened before in the history of the Ski World Cup. Of the first six men’s races, only one might be held and the seventh on Sunday evening was also in jeopardy. Because following the two descents, the Super G in Beaver Creek was also in danger of sinking into the snow and being blown away by the wind. There is now complete chaos in the speed calendar, which can only be sorted out – if at all – with a real show of strength.
Five speed races would have to be added. One departure before Christmas in Val Gardena, one probably in February in Kvitfjell. According to Swiss media, there will also be a double downhill run in Wengen, making another classic even more attractive. At least it seems that way at first glance. “But we have to be careful that it doesn’t become too dangerous,” says FIS race director Markus Waldner. The South Tyrolean recently ruled out that two races would take place in two days on the longest downhill run in the World Cup with a travel time of two and a half minutes. Now it looks like there will be a double spectacle on the Lauberhorn, just like in Val Gardena, where the three speed races go straight on to two giant slalom races in Alta Badia. Marco Schwarz, Marco Odermatt and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde will think carefully regarding whether they risk the tightrope act or skip races in the interest of safety and their health.
As an addendum, Kitzbühel was never an issue, as the most prestigious descent is already on the program twice (Friday and Saturday). When looking for alternative dates and locations, Saalbach was always discussed. When asked by SN, OC boss Bartl Gensbichler and the ÖSV denied rumors that the 2025 World Cup venue wanted to take part in the World Cup final this winter: “We were neither asked nor would it even be possible.”
For Vincent Kriechmayr and Co. it’s still a matter of waiting for the first speed race, the World Cup doesn’t have a good star. While it was a home-made problem on the glacier runs on the Matterhorn and a cancellation with an announcement, in Beaver Creek it was simply bad luck. There were perfect conditions in training, then three days of bad weather before bright sunshine was forecast once more on Monday.
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