Three-run slalom format debuts in Europa Cup

The Europa Cup alpine season opened last weekend on indoor snow, and a new three-run slalom event was tested and pleased the FIS organizers.

THE EUROPA CUP alpine season opened last weekend on indoor snow, and a new three-run slalom event was tested and pleased the FIS organizers.
    The men's season kicked off in the SnowWorld in Landgraaf, The Netherlands, while the women's season started in the ski halls of Bottrop and Neuss in Germany. The four slalom events were conducted as three-run slaloms, with the first two runs  raced according to the normal slalom rules (and valid for FIS points) but then only the top 30 raced the third and final run. Competition in the third run started from null, with no time advantages from the FIS races carrying over.   
    “We are very pleased with these first trials of the three-run slalom format. Along with technical prowess, it also requires considerable concentration and tactical skill from the athletes,” said Janez Flere, coordinator for the women's FIS Europa Cup tour. “I look forward to a first outdoor trial of this format, perhaps next season somewhere together with the men's European Cup.”   
    Europa Cup points were awarded for the top 30 of the combined results of the third runs of each race only. After the indoor slaloms, Germany's 20-year-old Monika Springl leads the women's Europa Cup rankings, ahead of Austria's Anna Fenninger and Springl's teammate Katharina Duerr.
    In the men's rankings, the lead is shared by 23-year-old Swede Hans Olsson and 22-year-old Christof Innerhofer of Italy ahead of the U.S. Ski Team's Paul McDonald. While Innerhofer won the first final, Olsson bested the field in the second. The wins in both of the two-run FIS slalom races went to Paul Stutz of Canada.