Fog gets the better of St. Moritz downhill

Aksel Lund Svindal in St. Moritz (GEPA/Harald Steiner)

The men’s downhill race Saturday (Feb. 1) at St. Moritz, already rescheduled once from Garmisch, was finally canceled after a long morning of fog delays.

Coaches gathered in groups up and down the Corviglia race hill while athletes swung various body parts in preparation for a start at nearly any moment. Snow was sporadically spitting and a cloud of fog clamped down, then rose, then clamped down again, so officials delayed the start 20-30 minutes at a time.

Officials did everything they were able to do to get the race in, including lowering the start, but the fog was determined to cover the trickiest portions of the track in the middle.

“I was about to start six times and the seventh time they canceled the race,” said French skier Brice Roger who unfortunately drew the first start position for the day. “The guys at the top were pretty relaxed, when we realized a lot of delays might happen we tried to lighten up the atmosphere and not stress out too much. It was clear at some point that we wouldn’t be getting a break from the weather so it came as no surprise when they called the race off. I hope they manage to find a slot to reschedule it down the season.”

Yesterday’s second and final training run was canceled in a massive effort to prepare the track for today’s race.

“We have tried everything we possibly could to get this race to happen but it’s just not safe with the visibility conditions continuously changing,” said FIS race director Guenter Hujara. “Unfortunately we had to cancel today’s downhill.”

A men’s giant slalom race is scheduled for tomorrow. Despite overnight snowfall in the forecast, race organizers are determined to deliver at least one day of racing at the venue. The start times are currently set for 10:30 A.M. and 13:30 P.M. CET.