Aspen to host the women's World Cup alpine opening races

Aspen to host the women’s World Cup alpine opening races{mosimage}MIAMI Aspen, Colorado, will host the women’s World Cup alpine opening races, the United States Ski Association announced at the 44th International Ski Congress. The resort will host three races-a giant slalom and two slaloms-over the Thanksgiving holiday in November.

“Aspen has been a part of major alpine skiing events over the years,” said Bill Marolt, president and CEO of USSA. “We are excited that they are going to hold this event and they will do a great job.”

“Most likely we will begin on Thanksgiving Day with the giant slalom,” said Annette Royle, USSA vice president for events. “The FIS is going to inspect the hill this weekend, and the dates will be decided then.” The races will be held on Ruthie’s run.

Copper Mountain, Colorado, which is owned by the Canadian resort company Intrawest, was also under strong consideration and at one point was named to the FIS calendar. Arrangements with Copper were not complete, however, and when Aspen learned that there were no speed events included, it was able to rework its bid in a more favorable manner for USSA.

Aspen has been a fixture on the World Cup since the first year of the circuit, 1968. While the resort has not held World Cup events consecutively, it has been the site of many famous races. Perhaps the most dramatic took place in 1989, when Ingemar Stenmark won the giant slalom race after having announced his retirement. It was his 86th victory on the World Cup.