First Cross-Border World Cup Races Are On
First Cross-Border World Cup Races Are On
Published : 29-Oct-2023 02:18
After a successful first race of the 23-24 FIS World Cup Alpine ski racing season at with the opening races at Sölden on Saturday, all eyes are turning to Zermatt and Cervinia for the first four speed races of the alpine skiing season, coming up in mid-November.
The new downhill course, the world's highest and the first to cross an international border from Switzerland into Italy, was due to host its inaugural races a year ago, but these had to be cancelled due to inadequate snow cover. This year the organisers have taken no chances, stockpiling snow in case needed, although there have been natural snowfalls over the past few weeks.
After a course inspection, the FIS have now given the organisers the final green light to run the races, weather permitting.
Known as the 'Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening' The World Cup races in Zermatt/Cervinia will take place on 11/12 November and 18/19 November 2023. On the programme for the first weekend are two men's downhill runs and on the second weekend the two women's downhill runs.
It means that Lake Louise, which won't stage any races this year, loses its place as the opening venue for downhill racing each season, and also brings the start of the season forward by several weeks for the speed racers. Men's downhill and super-G races were initially scheduled in Lake Louise for November 25-26th but Alpine Canada pulled out of hosting due to "financial challenges", ending more than four decades of the speed skiing season starting there.
The course, which starts at 3,800 metres above sea level and finishes at 2,865 metres above sea level, was designed by Didier Défago, 2010 Olympic downhill champion. Covering 935 metres of vertical descent over four kilometres, the maximum speed will be around 135 km/h. All the athletes will tackle the same piste, with the women's start slightly below the men's.
Lara Gut-Behrami had a second run charge to win the season opening race at Sölden with near perfect conditions after fresh snowfall eased leaving a blue sky. Unfortunately however the men's race on Sunday had to be cancelled due to strong winds.
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