McNichol, Schroecksnadel diverge over makeup races

The men’s head coach of the U.S. Ski Team walked out of an official FIS meeting in protest Thursday evening in protest over an effort by the Austrian ski federation to adopt canceled World Cup races on short notice.
BEAVER CREEK, Colorado — The men’s head coach of the U.S. Ski Team walked out of an official FIS meeting Thursday evening in protest over an effort by the Austrian ski federation to adopt canceled World Cup races on short notice.
    The powerful president of the Austrian ski federation, Peter Schroecksnadel, said Thursday that his organization would formally offer the FIS an opportunity to hold races at any of three Austrian resorts as early as next weekend.
    Phil McNichol, the American men’s coach, was angry about the proposal, which he said contravened FIS World Cup rules, and would require him and other national team coaches to scramble to make travel arrangements.
    “I left the meeting I was so frustrated,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine a race could come out of the bushes like this. As always the Europeans will be able to do whatever they want. The FIS is not making any stance. They are playing spectator.”
    Typically World Cup officials visit venues 10 days before a race for a “snow control” inspection, and decide whether the race will happen or not. That gives teams a chance to make travel arrangements.
    But in this warm season, in which six World Cup races have already been canceled (two each at Sölden, St. Moritz and Val d’Isere), rumors of special exceptions are floating around.
    Schroecksnadel said he would offer the FIS use of venues that could include Reiteralm, Flachau and Sölden.
    “Normally the FIS doesn’t like races on glaciers during the main season, but we are hoping we could make an exception for Sölden,” said Schroecksnadel, who is a member of the FIS Council.
    McNichol has a history of standing up to what he considers the strong-arm tactics of the Austrian ski team, which was once a training partner of the U.S. team.