Women’s World Cup in Zagreb postponed to Jan. 5 pending snow control

ZAGREB, Croatia – Following the FIS snow inspection on Saturday, the final confirmation of the Crveni Spust race course atop Sljeme for the 2016 Audi FIS World Cup Vip Snow Queen Trophy will be decided on Monday, Dec. 28. The ladies’ slalom race has been postponed from Sunday, Jan. 3, to Tuesday, Jan. 5, while the men’s race will remain as scheduled on Wednesday, Jan. 6. These decisions were made by Emmanuel Couder, coordinator of the men’s World Cup, after his visit to Sljeme.

According to the long range weather forecast, temperatures should drop below zero beginning on the evening of Dec. 29, thus enabling further coverage of the Sljeme race course with artificial snow. Moreover, cold air (which traditionally brings low temperatures) is expected to arrive in Sljeme and Zagreb from the northeast. Exactly when this cold weather will arrive and how cold it will be won’t be known until Monday. Thus, officials decided to delay the women’s race by two days in order to prepare the course in time and cover it with more artificial snow.

“Skiing is a sport that greatly depends on the weather. The organizers and all the staff in charge of preparing Crveni Spust have done everything in their power and all we can do now is wait for the confirmation that the expected cold weather will really arrive,” said Couder upon his inspection. “FIS will make its final decision on Monday, Dec. 28. Last year, as well as in the previous 11 years, you demonstrated that with below-zero temperatures you can prepare the course rather quickly and in the best possible way. Hopefully, the weather will allow you to do the same this year as well.”

The organizers and representatives of the Sljeme Ski Resort say they will start covering the course in artificial snow as soon as the temperatures drop below zero. as is expected on Tuesday. The 34 snow guns will work full force until the first days of the New Year, until there is enough artificial snow. After that, they will distribute the snow along the course, water it and install the finish area and the nets. To produce the necessary artificial snow, they will need 12,000 cubic meters of water, or the capacity of three water reservoirs, which will be brought through a pipeline and in tankers. Based on the expected temperatures, around 24,000 cubic meters of snow can be produced in 72 hours, or double the minimum amount of snow necessary for the races.

The ladies’ race is now scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 5, with the first run starting at 10:00 a.m. and the second at 1:00 p.m. local time, followed by the Zagreb Ski Legends Charity Race. The men’s race remains as scheduled, on Wednesday, Jan.6 with the first run at 3;30 p.m. and the second at 7:05 p.m.

Release courtesy of the Vip Snow Queen Trophy