Why does Killington host FIS World Cups over Thanksgiving?

[Patrick]

Zermatt-Cervinia's new downhill course, Gran Becca, has had a rather unsuccessful debut for two years, but I doubt they would ax it like Whistler:

• Canceled in November 2023 for too much snow, wind, and weather for two separate weekends - men's and women's
• Canceled in November 2022 for lack of snow

The Zermatt-Cervinia course has been controversial from the start, many people thought that the weather/wind for a downhill on the hill in November would be problematic; they only managed 2 training runs out and 0 races out of 10 days for Men and Women combined. Not sure if the races will survive with the so little return versus all the traveling, organizing, expenses by various teams involved. Only time will tell.

 

[ChrisC]

The Zermatt-Cervinia course has been controversial from the start, many people thought that the weather/wind for a downhill on the hill in November would be problematic; they only managed 2 training runs out and 0 races out of 10 days for Men and Women combined. Not sure if the races will survive with the so little return versus all the traveling, organizing, expenses by various teams involved. Only time will tell.

Gran Becca Race - Gone! Suprised - Solden could easily suffer the same problems in October (like this year).

After two failed attempts to stage the FIS Alpine World Cup’s first-ever cross-border race at the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, starting in Switzerland and finishing in Italy, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (‘FIS’) together with the Local Organization Committee (‘LOC’) has decided to take the race off the racing calendar for the 24/25 ski season.

The Race That Never Was: FIS Scraps Cross-Border Race from Switzerland to Italy at Matterhorn Ski Paradise - SnowBrains

After two failed attempts to stage the FIS Alpine World Cup’s first-ever cross-border race at the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, starting in Switzerland and finishing in Italy, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (‘FIS’) together with the Local Organization Committee (‘LOC’) has decided to...

snowbrains.com

And Zermatt seems really pissed - no more FIS racers in the Summer!

Zermatt, Switzerland, Announces Changes to Summer Operations: No Training for Elite Athletes - SnowBrains

The FIS World Cup season has wrapped up and international ski racers are planning their upcoming summer training. Aside from off-snow training such as strength and endurance, vital on-snow training needs to be scheduled over the summer months. Popular locations for European teams are typically...

snowbrains.com

 

[Patrick]

The Zermatt-Cervinia course has been controversial from the start, many people thought that the weather/wind for a downhill on the hill in November would be problematic; they only managed 2 training runs out and 0 races out of 10 days for Men and Women combined. Not sure if the races will survive with the so little return versus all the traveling, organizing, expenses by various teams involved. Only time will tell.

Gran Becca Race - Gone! Suprised - Solden could easily suffer the same problems in October (like this year).

After two failed attempts to stage the FIS Alpine World Cup’s first-ever cross-border race at the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, starting in Switzerland and finishing in Italy, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (‘FIS’) together with the Local Organization Committee (‘LOC’) has decided to take the race off the racing calendar for the 24/25 ski season.

I'm not surprised.
I could see this coming. Less worried about Solden.
Running a GS race doesn't require the same logistics and weather conditions as a speed event.

And Zermatt seems really pissed - no more FIS racers in the Summer!

I believe it's the national teams, not FIS racers. Not sure it's good economics in part of Zermatt as many spend some serious money for lane space, accommodations, etc.

 

[ChrisC]

Maybe Shiffrin can celebrate World Cup win number 100 on US soil at her semi-home mountain of Killington.

There is another Women's Slalom in Obergurgl before Killington.

US skier Mikaela Shiffrin wins 1st World Cup slalom of season for her 98th career victory

American ski star Mikaela Shiffrin has dominated the first women’s World Cup slalom of the season for her record-extending 98th career win.

apnews.com

Too bad about her boyfriend/fiance, Aleksander Kilde - another excellent skier - who will miss another year.

Norwegian ski star Kilde needs more surgery on injured shoulder and will miss 2024-25 season

Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde will miss the entire 2024-25 season because his injured left shoulder requires surgery again.

apnews.com

 

[Tony Crocker]

Liz can relate to Kilde's story. She had:
1) A similarly severe shoulder injury in 2020
2) Post surgery infection, though that was on her knee replacement in 2023
Kilde's sounds worse as the shoulder had multiple infections and clean-out surgeries. Liz will tell you one of those is more than enough.