FIS Pres. Kasper stands by Cypress despite criticism

By Published On: March 26th, 2009Comments Off on FIS Pres. Kasper stands by Cypress despite criticism

According to a story by the Canadian Press, International Ski Federation (FIS) president, Gian Franco Kasper isn’t worried about surface conditions for ski and snowboard events at Cypress Mountain during the 2010 Vancouver Games. Doubts concerning the hill’s snow quality increased after a World Cup parallel giant slalom snowboard contest was canceled in the face of soft conditions in February.
 
“Things will be OK for the Olympic Games,” Kasper was quoted in the story. “It might even be good for the Olympic Games that we had the problems this year, that it shows the organizers what they have to do differently.”

Olympic freestyle skiing and snowboarding events are scheduled to take place on Cypress’ slopes located on Vancouver’s North Shore.

While no one has faulted organizers for poor weather during World Cup skiing and snowboarding competitions this season, coaches and athletes have had plenty to say, criticizing everything from contest scheduling, to parking, to crew attitudes. 

“It’s a crappy venue and the people aren’t nice,” Canadian half-pipe coach Jesse Fulton told Sports Illustrated. “We were just at the world championships in Korea and we were treated like kings. We come here to where the Olympics are supposed to be and it’s like a burden for them. So many things that could be easy are made difficult.”

The cross country skiing course at the Whistler Olympic park has also taken fire recently.
Italian skier Pietro Piller Cottrer claimed the course was too easy after wining a World Cup race there this January.

Kasper remains unshaken in his confidence in VANOC’s courses and crews, turning a deaf ear to critics. “Their words are not important,” he said. “Fifty per cent will say it’s too easy, fifty per cent will say it’s too difficult. It doesn’t make much difference. Those are the courses from which the Olympic winner will be selected.”

Information for this story was provided by the Canadian Press.

According to a story published today by the Canadian Press, International Ski Federation (FIS) president, Gian Franco Kasper isn’t worried about surface conditions for ski and snowboard events at Cypress Mountain during the 2010 Vancouver Games. Doubts concerning the hill’s snow quality increased after a World Cup parallel giant slalom snowboard contest was canceled in the face of soft conditions in February.
 
“Things will be OK for the Olympic Games,” Kasper was quoted in the story. “It might even be good for the Olympic Games that we had the problems this year, that it shows the organizers what they have to do differently.”

Olympic freestyle skiing and snowboarding events are scheduled to take place on Cypress’ slopes located on Vancouver’s North Shore.

While no one has faulted organizers for poor weather during World Cup skiing and snowboarding competitions this season, coaches and athletes have had plenty to say, criticizing everything from contest scheduling, to parking, to crew attitudes. 

“It’s a crappy venue and the people aren’t nice,” Canadian half-pipe coach Jesse Fulton told Sports Illustrated. “We were just at the world championships in Korea and we were treated like kings. We come here to where the Olympics are supposed to be and it’s like a burden for them. So many things that could be easy are made difficult.”

The cross country skiing course at the Whistler Olympic park has also taken fire recently.
Italian skier Pietro Piller Cottrer claimed the course was too easy after wining a World Cup race there this January.

Kasper remains unshaken in his confidence in VANOC’s courses and crews, turning a deaf ear to critics. “Their words are not important,” he said. “Fifty per cent will say it’s too easy, fifty per cent will say it’s too difficult. It doesn’t make much difference. Those are the courses from which the Olympic winner will be selected.”

Information for this story was provided by the Canadian Press.

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About the Author: Pete Rugh