Weather cancels 5th Red Bull SKiLLS race, but the party goes on

The weather gods showed no mercy for the fifth edition of the Red Bull SKiLLS Finals in Lenzerheide this past Saturday, April 2. Given warm overnight temperatures, the race slope was too soft even in the early morning hours, and it was impossible to secure fair and safe race conditions for all participants. 

“The numerous volunteers and the organizing committee here in Lenzerheide have been working very hard over the last several days but we simply had no choice. We really needed a clear night with cold temperatures last night,” said Red Bull SKiLLS Race Director and former downhill world champion Bruno Kernen. “The snow was just too soft, and it would have been dangerous for the racers. Safety remains our priority, even if we are all very disappointed about the cancellation.” 

The Red Bull SKiLLS ski race is a unique event that combines all four disciplines of alpine skiing into a single run. A total of 74 athletes, including the winners and top finishers from the four qualification races held in Switzerland and Austria, were ready to fight for the crown of the best overall skier of the season. To clinch the coveted Red Bull SKiLLS 2016 title, qualifiers would have needed to beat a number of World Cup stars and medal winners including Tina Maze, Tina Weirather, Frida Hansdotter, Carmen Thalmann, Adrien Théaux, Peter Fill, Daniel Yule, Gino Caviezel and Mauro Caviezel.

Release courtesy of Red Bull Media House