Caroline Lalive speaks out about Schladming night slalom

Caroline Lalive speaks out about Schladming night slalomCaroline Lalive is a veteran of the U.S. Ski Team from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, who happened to be present for this year’s Schladming night slalom disaster. She is one of many World Cup athletes who has expressed disappointment and outrage at the problems with timing and data service on the World Cup this year.

“Bode stated it perfectly. No one misses any gates, and the timing is accurate. And without accurate timing, what’s left for ski racing? It’s not a sport where you’re judged if you look pretty, it’s only the fastest time wins. So I think that should be the highest of importance. That and safety. I just think it’s a shame if that’s not there. It doesn’t make sense to me…At Soelden, I didn’t have a time. I had to wait until the end of the race, and then they came up with a back up time, either a hand-time or whatever it was. Head did an analysis and they claim that the time wasn’t even right. I haven’t seen actual analysis of the video…You’re at the elite World Cup level. It would be like Formula One racing, and them not having a time, or having to do a hand time. For Formula One that’s unheard of. It’s supposed to be the world’s best. Athletes go out every run and give their best so everything around should be up to par. That’s what I say.”