World Cup Levi canceled due to warm weather

The FIS conducts a snow control on the race slopes 10 days prior to each World Cup event to determine whether or not the competitions can take place. After an exceptionally warm autumn in Finland, the conditions were delicate in Levi. On Nov. 5, day of the official snow control, Race Director Markus Mayr was on site to evaluate the situation.

In addition to the lack of snow, the short term forecast doesn’t predict any significant temperature drop, which means that even the most effective snowmaking system available would not guarantee ideal conditions for a World Cup race. The unfortunate decision was made to cancel both the ladies’ and the men’s slalom races scheduled in Levi for Nov. 14-15.

“At Levi we have one of the most efficient snowmaking systems available and also well experienced crew. If the weather would have given us a chance to make the Levi Black ready, we would have done that. The weather didn’t give us the opportunity this year,” said Janne Pelkonen, general secretary of World Cup Levi.

According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, November has been extraordinarily warm. During the first days of November there have been record high temperatures in over 20 locations in Finland. Snowmaking began on the course at the beginning of October and by the time of the official inspection half of the needed snow was there.

FIS World Cup Chief Race Director Atle Skaardal was sorry about the cancellation.

“We appreciate the hard work that the Levi Organizing Committee put into trying to make the World Cup races a reality. Unfortunately, with the lack of snow, we knew it would not be fair to the athletes, fans or the resort to try to stage the races in less than ideal conditions.”

The race directors are now looking into possible replacement venues and dates and will update with further program changes as soon as possible.

World Cup Levi was last canceled in 2011 when the races were made up in Flachau, Austria, in December. The event was also canceled in 2007 when the races were relocated to Reiteralm, Austria, and run in the month of November.

Release courtesy of FIS and World Cup Levi