The alpine skiing world cup season has started in a sad way, especially on the men’s side.
Over the weekend in Beaver Creek, USA, the Friday and Saturday downhills and Sunday’s super giant slalom were canceled due to bad weather.
In the Men’s World Cup, it has been possible to count only one race this season, when the slalom race that ended up being the target of protesters in Gurgli, Austria, was counted on November 18.
The opening race of the season, the Sölden giant slalom, was canceled at the end of October due to strong wind. A couple of weeks later, the downhill race in Zermatt-Cervinia was canceled because there was too much snow and wind.
Two downhill races in Zermatt-Cervinia have not been counted in the Women’s World Cup.
Norwegian star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde regretted the situation after the cancellation of Saturday’s race Norwegian media for VG.
– This is really sad. Since I’m already an experienced calculator, I can handle this well, but it’s a shame that these gutters are missed, said Kilde, who conquered the overall World Cup in 2020.
Norwegian speed sports coach Pete Andersson said that bad luck feels discouraging.
– We have been on a trip for five weeks without a single race, Andersson said.
Lehto sets its sights on Italy
Speed calculator from Finns Elian Lehton was supposed to start his World Cup career in November in Zermatt, but due to cancellations, the start of the race season is still being postponed.
According to Lehto, who was preparing to compete in Beaver Creek for the first time, the cancellations on Saturday and Sunday were understandable due to the weather. He estimates that it would have been possible to compete on Friday.
– If the track group had done more work, it would have been possible to count. There was a little too much snow outside the descent line. The action, frankly, looked helpless, Lehto told Urheilu.
Lehto takes a calm approach to cancellations due to weather conditions. Bad weather can always mean that the races cannot be counted.
– It’s really sad that five races in a row have now gone to waste. Well, you can pitch in Val Gardena. I like to ski there anyway.
In Val Gardena, Italy, two downhill races and one super giant slalom will be held in the middle of December.
Always ready
Since the beginning of the season, holding the games on glaciers has sparked debate in sports circles, because the glaciers are often in poor condition. According to Lehto, the timing of the Games is not important to him.
– I am ready to count in October, if the boys of the International Ski Federation feel that way. This race has been held for the last 20 years here in Beaver Creek. I don’t think it’s too early at least. Put the races where you want, and I’ll count.
According to Lehto, who is training with the Swiss national team, cancellations due to weather conditions have not caused much criticism.
– More certainly, the race in Zermatt has brought discussion. You can’t really do anything about them, especially with such snowstorms and winds. The fact that the glacier has unstable conditions is perfectly clear to everyone. It brings more discussion than such cancellations.
– It is completely clear that people would like more games in Levi and towards the north.
Focusing on one’s own affairs
Among the Swiss, for example, the star of speed sports Marco Odermatt hasn’t gotten to start his season yet. Odermatt, the reigning giant slalom and downhill world champion, won the overall World Cup last season. The trophy cabinet also contains the giant slalom Olympic gold from Beijing.
Athletes fighting to win the overall race need a certain number of races, and it is not easy to find replacements for all canceled speed races. Lehto does not think about the possible effects of the situation on the overall race.
– Personally, the question of the overall race does not concern me in any way – yet. That’s why I don’t want to stress about it unnecessarily. There are enough things to think about on your own. I want to focus more on them than on how the first guys are doing in the overall cup.
– They really have a lot of power and they will probably handle the situation quite well.
Lehto believes that at least a couple of canceled races can be held later in the season.
– At this point, the answer is always to try. It goes without saying that it will be attempted. The organizers are trying their best. If it doesn’t materialize, there will be a creak. Wait and see.