The women’s downhill runs of the World Cup have been canceled

After the snow check which took place on the «Gran Becca» slope today (Tuesday 25 October), the two free descents scheduled for 5 and 6 November were canceled due to too high temperatures.

 

The hope was that the temperatures would drop enough to allow the preparation of the "Gran Becca" slope but, as these remained above the seasonal averages, together with the abundant rains that fell even above 3000 meters above sea level, this was not the case. possible. In the section that develops on the glacier the track is in perfect condition but in the lower part the bottom is too soft and therefore the safety of the athletes in the race cannot be guaranteed.

 

A cancellation which the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) regrets. «We have hoped until the end, both us and the organizers. Unfortunately the cancellation of the women's competitions is inevitable. We thank the organizers for their incredible commitment and appreciate that every possible effort has been made to kick off the races on the "Gran Becca". We continue to believe in the unique cross-border downhill project, ”explains FIS Secretary General Michel Vion.

 

«If in the last 7 days the temperatures had been 2-3 degrees lower, there would have been abundant snowfalls up to the finish line and we could also have artificially snowed. Nature has vetoed it. This must be respected and accepted. The FIS had no choice but to cancel the women's competitions, ”says the President of the Organizing Committee, Franz Julen.

 

In Cervinia and Zermatt the organizers are already working to make the first edition of the Matterhorn Cervino Speed ​​Opening a reality at the end of autumn 2023. "In recent weeks and months we have been able to learn a lot and, now as before, we are still convinced of the our idea and our strategy. The innovative and unique event of the Matterhorn Cervino Speed ​​Opening is an added value for everyone - for sport, for female athletes, for both regions, for tourism, for the winter sector -. Therefore we will continue to work hard to ensure that next year the spectacular free descents at the foot of the Matterhorn can see the light ", concludes Franz Julen.