Final Val d’Isere training run cancelled

Efforts to clear the track (GEPA/Mathias Mandl)

VAL D’ISERE, France – As expected, it finally started to snow yesterday (Dec. 19) in the Tarentaise Valley. The total amount of fresh snow was between 10-20cm (or 4-8 inches). The temperatures at the bottom of the valley were slightly over zero degrees Celsius. The jury made the decision to cancel the third and final downhill training run for the women and use the whole day to best prepare the piste for tomorrow’s race.

“Rushing the preparation for the training today might jeopardize the quality of tomorrow’s race,” said FIS chief race director Atle Skaardal. “The goal is to avoid snow cat work on race line and to only use slippers. The snow is quite soft in the lower section and the machines would not do any good to the track.”

For now, more than 100 people are shoveling the snow off the race line and two snow cats are grooming the sides of the trail.

Temperatures are expected to be cooler tomorrow for race day, and there should be a clear sky overnight. The piste will then get harder and be ready for Saturday’s scheduled downhill race.

Release courtesy of FIS