From the start in Sölden to the far north to Levi, then back to the Tyrolean Ötztal to Gurgl: the ski aces covered 5,000 kilometers as the crow flies for the first three World Cup stops, even before the entourage moved to the USA. Apart from the fact that skiing in particular is directly affected by the consequences of global warming, the strains of travel take a toll on athletes. As in the case of Manuel Feller, it is not very edifying to fly to the USA for just one race, the giant slalom in Beaver Creek (December 8th), especially since the Tyrolean’s form is at stake in all three races of the season failed, is not in good order. “A lot of effort for just one race,” says Feller, who is “unfortunately leaving for America” after a huge slalom training session at home. After all: “It’s a slope that suits me.” After two slalom threaders recently, the giant slalom could possibly be just the right change, the 32-year-old continued. As expected, the technology specialist will not be racing downhill and Super-G. Just like in previous winters, speed riders overseas are experiencing the start of their season.
Mikaela Shiffrin has four races on the program over the next two weekends in Killington (USA) and Mont-Tremblant (Can), but the series winner is still not happy with the calendar planning. “My honest opinion is: It’s challenging to be in Sölden, then in Levi, then back in Gurgl and then in Killington. It’s really hard on the body and the mind,” says the 29-year-old.
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The fact that Gurgl and Sölden – both World Cup locations are part of the municipality of Sölden – are planning a joint double weekend has met with widespread approval. The most successful athlete in history, with 99 World Cup victories, can also benefit from the idea. “It would be ideal,” says Shiffrin, knowing that if the Gurgl races had been scheduled earlier they would have been extremely shaky due to the snow situation. “The season should start later and possibly end later. I know it’s easier said than done. But maybe there are some ways to structure it so that we can keep the racing but also make the travel more physically and environmentally sensible.” , Shiffrin positions himself.
What are the impacts of climate change on the location of professional skiing competitions?
Good evening and welcome back to the show. Tonight we’re talking about the grueling travel schedule faced by professional skiers in a world grappling with climate change. Joining us is Dr. Emily Carter, an environmental scientist specializing in the impact of climate change on winter sports. Dr. Carter, thanks for joining us.
**Dr. Carter:** Thanks for having me.
**Interviewer:** Let’s start with the article we’re discussing. It highlights the immense distance skiers are traveling for competitions, sometimes flying across continents single race. How does this tie into the broader conversation about climate change?
**Dr. Carter:** Absolutely. This is a perfect example of how climate change impacts not only the environment but also our society and culture. As the article mentions, skiing relies on snow, and climate change is threatening snow reliability in many popular ski resorts. This forces competitions to be held in locations further apart, leading to increased travel and its associated carbon footprint. It’s a vicious cycle. [[1](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-023-01759-5)]
**Interviewer:** The article also mentions Manuel Feller, a skier who is traveling to Beaver Creek, Colorado for just one race. Clearly, this kind of travel isn’t sustainable in the long term. What are some potential solutions?
**Dr. Carter:** You’re right, this level of travel is simply unsustainable. We need to see a shift towards more regionalized competition schedules, reducing the need for long-haul flights. Additionally, investing in alternative transportation methods like high-speed rail could help minimize the environmental impact. For organizations like FIS (the International Ski Federation) there’s a responsibility to address these issues and prioritize sustainability.
**Interviewer:** What message would you give to skiers and fans who are concerned about these challenges?
**Dr. Carter:** Don’t despair! While the situation is serious, there are things we can do. We can support athletes and organizations who prioritize sustainable practices. We can also advocate for policies that address climate change and promote responsible tourism. Ultimately, it’s about finding a balance between our passion for winter sports and the urgent need to protect our planet.
**Interviewer:** Well said. Dr. Carter, thank you for sharing your insights with us tonight.
**Dr. Carter:** You’re very welcome.
