2023-11-12 05:48:45
The speed athletes will only leave Zermatt/Cervina with a training run, which took place last Wednesday. Shortly after six o’clock, the OK and the FIS announced that no downhill skiing could take place on the Gran Becca this Sunday either:
“Due to the heavy snowfall that started early this morning, together with the strong winds and the forecast for the whole day, the jury and the organizing committee have decided to cancel today’s descent for safety reasons for everyone involved.”
Meteorologists had predicted days ago that the weather conditions would not allow any racing from Thursday through the weekend. For this reason, the replacement date, initially planned for Monday, was shelved on Saturday.
The organizers and the international ski association FIS had hoped to be able to promote skiing internationally with images of a race against the picturesque backdrop of the Matterhorn. “It could have been a pure spectacle,” said the FIS race director Markus Waldner on Saturday. But the whims of the weather cannot be controlled, and so it remains a fact of the sport that you have to live with.
Now all eyes are turning to next week, when two women’s downhill runs are planned in Zermatt/Cervinia. The men, on the other hand, still have to wait for their first race of the season after the canceled start in Sölden. The next opportunity to do so is next Saturday in Gurgl, where a slalom will be held for the first time.
Official FIS Ski World Cup calendar for the men’s season 2023/24
Official FIS Ski World Cup calendar for the women’s season 2023/24
The opening race of the men’s downhill in Zermatt/Cervinia on Saturday had to be canceled due to the unpredictable weather. Fresh snow and strong winds made it impossible to start on the new “Gran Becca” slope. Hopes are now focused on Sunday, although the weather forecast for that day is not promising either. Monday has already been rejected as an alternative date. The official FIS start list for the men’s downhill on Sunday at 11.30 a.m. on the “Gran Becca” in Zermatt-Cervinia, as well as the start numbers and the FIS live ticker, can be found here in the data menu as soon as it arrives.
Data and facts – 2023/24 season
Departure of the men in Zermatt/CervinaFIS start list: 1st men’s downhill – Sunday
FIS live ticker: 1st men’s downhill on Sunday
FIS final score: 1st men’s downhill on SundayFIS final standings: 1. Men’s downhill training
Overall men’s World Cup standings 2023/24
Men’s Downhill World Cup Standings 2023/24Nations Cup: Men’s ranking
Nations Cup: overall rankingAll data will be updated immediately upon arrival
Marko Pfeifer, the men’s head coach, said that no races were possible under these conditions and that one had to be prepared for a possible further cancellation. Nevertheless, the program for Sunday remains in place for the time being, including the start number draw in the evening.
After the races could not take place last year due to a lack of snow, Pfeifer emphasizes that the weather at this altitude is always a challenge and the probability of the races taking place is an uncertain 50:50. However, the decision about the suitability of this point in the year for racing rests with others.
FIS race director Markus Waldner, pointed out that all kinds of weather conditions can occur in the Alpine altitudes at this time of year. He points out that the event is heavily dependent on the whims of nature. “We definitely need a little luck with the weather. Hopefully it plays in our favor,” said the South Tyrolean Waldner in his statement.
The upcoming race on the Matterhorn will not only be overshadowed by adverse weather conditions, but also the design of the race track „Gran Becca“ met with mixed reactions. ORF expert Hans Knauß complains that the terrain is too flat for a men’s downhill run and that the route is generally rather unchallenging – it would be more suitable for a women’s race, although it is also considered rather easy in this category.
The organizers have reserved three possible starting points for the descent: Originally the start was supposed to take place at 3,800 meters above sea level, but due to the susceptibility to wind this was lowered to 3,720 meters. The second option is Matterhorn-Sprung at 3,615 meters, while the third starting point, which is also the start for the women, is at 3,505 meters and is on Italian territory.
The “Gran Becca” is unique because it takes the athletes across the borders of two countries, Switzerland and Italy, and with its location it is the highest and, at almost 4.5 kilometers long, one of the longest routes in the Ski World Cup – surpassed only from the Lauberhorn descent in Wengen. Probably the most impressive part of the route is the Matterhorn jump at 3,614 meters. After the first training session, which took place under ideal weather conditions, the racers were divided in their assessment of the route.
A look back at last year’s World Cup season reveals that Aleksander Aamodt Sourcewith six wins, and Vincent Kriechmayr from Austria, with four victories, were the only athletes to win downhill races. But also skiers like Marco Odermatt and James Crawford from Canada, Johan Clarey from France and many others were able to secure podium places. With the resignation of Clarey, Matthias Mayer and Travis Ganong attention now focuses on Odermattwho after his world championship title in downhill is now aiming for the highest podium place in the World Cup.
The prize money significantly exceeds the minimum requirements of the FIS: individual winners can look forward to 60,000 Swiss francs and if they win a double on one weekend, the fastest lady could collect an additional bonus of 50,000 Swiss francs the next weekend. In addition to the cash prizes, the winners receive a voucher for a guided ascent of the Matterhornsselectable from the Swiss or Italian side.
The enormous media interest in the event is obvious: 230 media professionals from 13 nations have accredited themselves to show the breathtaking winter images from Zermatt and Cervinia to carry into the world. In addition, the technical teams from the media companies are on site to ensure the transmission.
Official FIS Ski World Cup calendar for the men’s season 2023/24
Official FIS Ski World Cup calendar for the women’s season 2023/24
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