Days after GS cancellation, Val d’Isere speed events get green light

On Thursday, the men’s giant slalom races that had been scheduled for Val d’Isere Dec. 5-6 were officially moved to Santa Caterina Valfurva, Italy, due to lack of snow. Apparently, the additional week has made all the difference as the speed races, which are scheduled for the following week at the French venue, received a positive snow control and the official green light from the FIS.

Following the snow control carried out on Tuesday, experts from the International Ski Federation, Emmanuel Couder and Hannes Trinkl, have decided to give the go-ahead for the holding the men’s speed events of the Critérium de la Première Neige on Dec. 12-13, the local organizer reported.

“It’s a relief after the disappointment at the cancellation of the GS races which should have taken place this coming weekend,” said Ingrid Jacquemod, Director of the Val d’Isère Club des Sports. “We have chosen the right strategy by concentrating on the speed course which ought to let us organize two weekends of racing. The resort’s services and all the stakeholders of the organizing committee and the Club des Sports have done a remarkable job under difficult conditions to meet this challenge… This is a message to the mountain community which, in the current circumstances, needs to find its smile again.”

The snow control for the women’s events, set for Dec. 19-20, will take place on Dec. 4 with an announcement to follow.