This view of the race center in Levi, Finland, Thursday afternoon provides ample evidence of why organizers called off the World Cup ski races scheduled there later this month. (photo: levi.fi)
World Cup

Lack of Snow Cancels World Cup Ski Races in Finland

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Levi, Finland –International Ski Federation (FIS) officials confirmed Thursday that the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup slalom races slated for Nov. 12-13 in Levi, Finland have been canceled due to lack of snow.

The U.S. Ski Team will use the extra time to prepare for the upcoming North American World Cup swing by training at Vail’s Golden Peak, operated by Ski & Snowboard Club Vail, and at Copper Mountain, Colo., home of the new U.S. Ski Team Speed Center.

This view of the race center in Levi, Finland, Thursday afternoon provides ample evidence of why organizers called off the World Cup ski races scheduled there later this month. (photo: levi.fi)
This view of the race center in Levi, Finland, Thursday afternoon provides ample evidence of why organizers called off the World Cup ski races scheduled there later this month. (photo: levi.fi)

“The decision was clear in the end, since there was no snow on the race hill on the day of the snow control and the forecast didn’t promise any significant cold front. We can’t postpone the races by a week, since the speed events in Lake Louise (Canada) would be too close in the calendar,” said General Secretary of the organizing committee, Mikko Saarinen.

Near the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, early season snow in Levi isn’t normally a problem, thus the ski resort typically appears on the World Cup circuit’s November calendar. According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, however, the mean temperature was clearly above average in the whole country in October. October was the eight month in a row when the mean temperature in Finland was above the long-term average.

“The situation was looking promising until last Friday, when the forecast changed. Even with the highly efficient snowmaking installations, we simply had no chance when it’s not cold enough,” said Hans Pieren, the designated snow controller and FIS Race Director for the men’s technical events.

The International Ski Federation is currently evaluating options for rescheduling the slalom events. Further information will be provided by Sunday, however the races will not be placed back on the World Cup calendar prior to the women’s Nature Valley Aspen Winternational or the men’s opening speed races in Lake Louise, Canada – both of which take place on Thanksgiving weekend.

The Audi Birds of Prey men’s World Cup races are set for the following weekend in Beaver Creek, Colo. With current weather conditions all North American World Cup races should go ahead as planned.

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