The planned deletion of the traditional men’s downhill run in Garmisch from the 2022/2023 World Cup calendar is causing dissatisfaction with the German Ski Association (DSV). «The Kandahar is a classic. And you shouldn’t just delete a classic, »says DSV sports director Wolfgang Maier when asked by SID.
As reported by Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), the world association FIS has decided to replace the downhill with a race in Asia. «For us, the reasons for this calendar change are incomprehensible. We will make that clear to the FIS,” said Meyer. You will push for a solution in terms of sport.
Haven’t given up hope yet
Criticism of the plans of the world association is not only expressed at the DSV. «There was resistance from different nations. That’s why the calendar has to be revised again,” says Maier. At this point there is also hope that the Kandahar can still be driven in 2023. The decision will probably be made at a FIS congress in May. “The goal is to secure the World Cup in its current form,” the sports director continued.
The organizer hasn’t given up hope either: Florian Fischer, chairman of the Garmisch Ski Club, tells SID: “We hope that the horror of what’s going on in winter sports will make the FIS think again.” Fischer, who by his own admission is fundamentally open to changes in skiing, criticizes: “You shouldn’t be the first to approach well-known event locations”.
One of the most traditional descents
The FIS has recently pushed ahead with changes. The aim of the Swedish FIS President Johan Eliasch is to make the World Cup calendar more international and to open up new markets in Asia.
The Kandahar is one of the most traditional men’s runs in alpine skiing. It is the only descent on German soil and is one of the most famous slopes alongside the Lauberhorn descent in Wengen or the Streif in Kitzbühel. According to the current status, only two women’s races and one men’s night slalom are to take place in Garmisch next winter. (AFP)