The International Ski Federation (FIS) has announced that the entirety of the 2020/21 men’s and women’s Alpine World Cup season will remain in Europe rather than moving to the U.S. and Canada, as usual, due to the impact of COVID-19.
For the men, races canceled include the speed weekend in Lake Louise, Canada, planned for November 25-29, as well as both speed and tech events at Beaver Creek planned for December 1-6. The World Cup organizers plan to return to these sites for the 2021/22 season.
For the women, the cancellations impact the giant slalom and slalom events at Killington, VT planned for November 28-29 and the speed week in Lake Louise planned for December 1-6.
In a FIS news release, organizers cited “protecting the health and welfare of all participants to the best extent possible” for its decision. Markus Waldner, FIS men’s chief race director, said in the release that the desire and motivation to hold the races as scheduled for all parties was strong. He added that the training setup and races in the United States and Canada are very much appreciated by teams. But ultimately, he said the “unique logistics and situation” for the early season Alpine races “have current travel restrictions and corresponding quarantine regulations in both directions, which led to this joint decision.”
The adapted calendars, to be approved in late September, involve the rescheduling of the alpine North American competitions at European sites. These will include events in December with Val d’Isere (FRA) adding two events for the men. The planned giant slalom races will be moved up one weekend to December 5-6 making room for an added downhill and super-G on December 12-13. The women’s tour will add a downhill to its traditional weekend in St. Moritz (SUI) on December 5-7. Additionally, Courchevel (FRA) will host a two-race technical weekend in December.
“The North American races are always a very special two weeks for the entire FIS World Cup tour, and we are very disappointed that we could not find a way to have them on this year’s Alpine calendar,” said FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis. “But if there is a silver lining, it is seeing how all of our stakeholders involved with the FIS World Cup are working together. The willingness of several National Ski Associations, organizers and resorts to step up, alter their schedules and plans, shows that we truly are a united ski family that is working toward the common goal of carrying out a full and successful season. The engagement and commitment shown by the North American organizers and National Associations throughout the past months continue with both USA and Canada already turning to preparations for their central roles with FIS Freestyle, Freeski and Snowboard events that take place later in the season.”
The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup season will kick off in Soelden (AUT) on October 17-18 for the traditional giant slaloms on the Rettenbach Glacier. The next stop on the tour will be the debut of host resort Lech/Zürs (AUT) on November 14-15 which will feature a men’s and a women’s parallel race.
The revised calendars with the latest adaptations will be approved following the FIS Technical Meetings from September 30 to October 2 for ratification by the FIS Council on October 3 and will be published on the FIS website at that time.
Photo courtesy Getty
