Wind ravages Sölden finish area GEPA pictures/Patrick Steiner

The FIS intends to reschedule the men’s World Cup giant slalom that was canceled on Sunday due to strong winds.  However, the World Ski Association has also clarified that the race must be held at a World Cup location already included in the 2023/24 calendar and that a new organizer cannot be added. On Sunday, Ski Austria examined the possibility of organizing the race in Hochgurgl, where a World Cup slalom is already planned for November 18th.

However, in an online media conference on Monday afternoon, Ski Austria General Secretary Christian Scherer stated that they would not hold the race in Hochgurgl after thoroughly examining the possibilities. “It’s a decision based on reason,” said Scherer. The slalom has priority at the new World Cup location and they don’t want to risk jeopardizing the “high-quality event” with another event. Because the racing programs in Kitzbühel (January 19th to 21st) and Schladming (January 23rd/24th) are already full and the World Cup final in Saalbach cannot be an option, switching there is out of the question.

This confirms that the canceled Sölden giant slalom will not occur in Austria. It is still unclear where the race will be rescheduled. The FIS says that they are currently “clarifying the final details.” The race will be held where it makes the most sense regarding technical, logistical, sporting and financial aspects, FIS race director Markus Waldner told skinews.ch.

What about Adelboden? Since no races are planned after the speed races in Bormio (December 28th/29th) until the scheduled giant slalom at Chuenisbärgli (January 6th), an additional race on January 5^th could be suitable. Christian Haueter from the organizing committee in Adelboden commented on this matter: “Until the call from skinews.ch, we assumed that the race would be rescheduled in Austria. That’s why we haven’t even thought about this possibility yet.”

Things might be different now. As the green light in Adelboden has already been reported, the grandstand seats for Saturday’s giant slalom at Chuenisbärgli are already sold out. A second race could be pretty exciting if the logistical questions can be solved. When asked by skinews.ch, Swiss Ski also did not give a firm “no” to a possible additional race in Switzerland. Since the information that the race will not occur in Austria is still reasonably fresh, “discussions have to be held first,” it is said. This limits the venue candidates to Val d’Isère (FRA), Adelboden (SUI), Bansko (BUL), Palisades Tahoe (USA), Aspen (USA) and Kranjska Gora (SLO). And taking into account the existing calendar, Aspen or Adelboden are most likely to emerge.

European sources confirm that the decision to move the Sölden race to Aspen gained favor in the past 24 hours. This would add an opportunity and value to GS skiers traveling to North America in late February and aligns with FIS’s aim to boost the US market. Undoubtedly, Adelboden and Aspen are outstanding replacements as are the other possibilities.

In the online media conference, Christian Scherer also addressed the question of postponing the World Cup opening to November. Discussions about this should take place soon after the speed races in Zermatt so that around the turn of the year 2023/24, giving Sölden and the Ötztal region an opportunity to plan accommodation for November 2024. What is certain is that Sölden will only be available for the World Cup opening in the future, but not for “normal” World Cup races during the current season, Scherer explained. “A ski festival with an appropriate supporting program must take place in Sölden,” said the Ski Austria General Secretary. Anything else is “unthinkable” for the local organizers.