FIS delays decision on moving races to Colorado

International Ski Federation World Cup women’s race director Atle Skaardal said Sunday that serious discussions are still being held about moving additional races to Aspen or Beaver Creek for weather reasons, but an expected Sunday decision has been delayed until Wednesday.

ASPEN, Colorado — International Ski Federation World Cup women’s race director Atle Skaardal said Sunday that serious discussions are still being held about moving additional races to Aspen or Beaver Creek for weather reasons, but an expected Sunday decision has been delayed until Wednesday.
    Organizers of men’s World Cup races set for Dec. 9-10 in Val d’Isere, France, are still holding out hope — though at long odds — of hosting those competitions. Warm temperatures and lack of snow coverage are the key concerns. Those same factors forced cancellation of the World Cup openers in Sölden, Austria, last month.
     “We have decided to delay that decision until Wednesday,” Skaardal said following Sunday’s Aspen women’s slalom. “For a ski federation to take over these races on such a short notice is difficult. USSA has done a great job until now, but it is not possible to confirm anything now.”
    The women are set to head from Aspen to Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, for races Dec. 1-3. The women’s races at St. Moritz, Switzerland — a downhill and super combined — were canceled earlier this weekend. The men are set to go to Beaver Creek for races Nov. 30-Dec. 3, then head to Val d’Isere for a downhill and super combined.
   ''[The weather situation in Europe] is very critical, not only for racing, but it will have a big impact on public skiing,'' Skaardal said. ''We all have to hope for colder temperatures and snowfall in Europe very fast or it will be a big crisis for us if we have to continue to cancel our races in December.''
    Organizers at Beaver Creek and Aspen, in conjunction with USSA, might be willing to host additional races, but the financial incentives are greater if either venue got BOTH men’s and women’s bonus races. There are many factors — including hotel rooms, manpower to staff the hill and media centers, and closing off hill access to the public — to be considered.
    “If we are able to do the super combined here in USA, we have a good chance to pick up a downhill in Europe later on,” Skaardal said. Skaardal said hosting a super combined in the States is a priority because the FIS will award crystal globes for that discipline for the first time this winter, and because there are so few of them scheduled.
    The most likely dates for Aspen or Beaver Creek to pick up races would be Thursday and Friday Dec. 7-8, with Saturday, Dec. 9, also an option.
    For the women who were not scheduled to race in Lake Louise, there’s a bit of uncertainty. Should they head back to Europe knowing they might have to return to Colorado — or forfeit a shot at valuable FIS points?    
    “We’re working on different options for them,” Skaardal said. “For sure some will go home anyway, and hopefully come back if they need to.”
    Skaardal said the Aspen Ski Club was working with national teams on some possible affordable lodging options and training options.
    Annette Royle, USSA vice president of events, said the International Ski Federation reached an agreement with the women's World Cup coaches to make any decision at that time, so any decision on potential new venues for the races could be announced simultaneously.