Photo: GEPA pictures

The FIS Alpine World Cup includes outstanding athletes, beautiful places, and exciting events. However, putting the calendar together is always challenging. There are winners and losers every year, and national governing bodies are often happy or upset..

Due to the prestige of the events, revenue for hosting races, and the expense of team travel, the calendar will always be contentious. Every year, some National Governing Bodies gain, and others lose. The potential gains and losses are why there are so many proposed programs before the final schedule is approved. Fortunately for the 2023 season, the decisions have been made, and teams can again turn their efforts to preparation.

Not in this Years Schedule

Events not part of this season’s women’s schedule include the Val d’lsere DH and SG races. Also the women will not compete in the Lienz GS/SL, Schladming night SL, Zauchensee DH/SG and the Garmisch-Partenkrichen DH/SG. It seems conspicuous that there are no women’s FIS Alpine World Cup races in Germany. The absence of a German event certainly caused conflict. Again this season, there are no scheduled alpine combined races.

Changes from Last Season

The additions to last year’s calendar include an early season downhill starting in Zermatt, Switzerland, and ending in Cervinia, Italy. Croatia will have a second SL in Zagreb. Kranjska Gora will host 2 GS races instead of an SL/GS. Flachau is back in the program with a night SL, and St Anton will be the women’s speed event in Austria for 2023. Also, after a 20-year absence, the women’s downhill and super-G skiers will again experience the speed track in Kvitfjell, Norway.

Czech Republic Returns as Host Country

It is exciting to acknowledge that the Czech Republic will host the FIS Alpine World Cup again. Spindleruv Mlyn will be home to giant slalom and slalom races on January 28th and 29th. The addition of the Czech Republic to the list of host nations certainly brings additional validation to the term World Cup.

Exciting Highlights

Every odd year there are FIS Alpine World Championships. February 6th through the 19th, the host for the women will be Méribel, France.

Most importantly, the US women will be competing on home soil in Killington, Vermont. We will see our best ladies race giant slalom and slalom on November 26th and 27th.