The downhill slope, which starts in Zermatt, Switzerland and finishes above Cervinia in Italy, lacks sufficient snow cover, especially in the lower part. This was announced by the world association FIS on Saturday. The two departures that were scheduled for October 29 and 30 will not be replaced.
The women are scheduled to contest two runs on the “Gran Becca” slope a week later on November 5th and 6th. The snow check for this should take place next Tuesday, October 25th. The speed opening is considered one of the prestige projects of FIS President Johan Eliasch, who wanted to fill “the holes in the calendar” until the World Cup events in mid-November and send magnificent TV pictures from the panorama to the world.
Before the final cancellation, there were considerations of shortening the route from below and raising the target further. Ultimately, however, these were discarded – for logistical and safety reasons, since there are also no fall areas. “You know that if you only bring a piste here for speed, the safety space outside the piste is also an important thing,” said Herbert Mandl, Head of Alpine Skiing in the ÖSV. “At the moment there are almost 300 meters that are missing,” said Stefan Abplanalp, ski expert on Swiss television.
ÖSV team is now training in Sölden
The upper part of the slope is intact, but you will also need some luck with the weather for the women’s races, i.e. cold temperatures in the next few days. The finish in Laghi Cime Bianche is at almost 2,800 m above sea level. “It’s a challenge for the organizer,” said Mandl. The previous week, when the snow control was originally scheduled, the situation actually spoke for the cancellation of the men’s races. However, the organizers were given an additional deadline until (today) Saturday.
However, Austria’s men were already prepared for the news of the cancellation on Friday. “The descents will be canceled and no longer added, that’s for sure. It’s a shame,” said three-time Olympic champion Matthias Mayer. “There were 14 descents to 10 slaloms, with 12 you’re still well stocked. We have enough speed races,” stated racing manager Marko Pfeifer. The slight speed overhang in the World Cup calendar is gone now. After the races in Zermatt/Cervina were cancelled, the men’s speed team will now train on the race slope in Sölden.
Source: Nachrichten
