The 2016-17 competition season has begun
Snow is falling in the Southern Hemisphere and racing has begun, officially launching the 2016-17 alpine competition season. If we wrote about horse racing, the headline would read, “And it’s off to the races.”
In El Colorado, Chile, men and women contested two giant slalom races a piece on July 29. On the ladies’ side, World Cup athlete Noelle Barahona of Chile claimed back-to-back victories. On the men’s side, Thomas Maitre of France took one win while Andres Figueroa of Chile proved victorious in the second race of the day.
Meanwhile in South Africa, yes, South Africa – at a resort called Tiffindell – skiers from several European nations started the process of lowering their points with a marathon of slalom. A total of 10 slalom races for each gender were contested between July 26 and Aug. 1, so it’s no surprise that first-year FIS skier Tormis Laine of Estonia eventually took a tumble. Our legs would have been pretty tired too.
The FIS technical races at Cardrona in New Zealand also attracted an international field. Anja Schneider of Switzerland won the women’s opening slalom while Hansi Schwaiger of Germany won the men’s first slalom. On day two of racing, New Zealand native Piera Hudson took the top step of the podium in the women’s race while Jack Gower of Great Britain did the same for the men.
Yaazzzzzzzz. I got this. Loving it ? @lyndsay.anne
A photo posted by Resi Stiegler (@resistiegler) on
More established athletes have started their training blocks south of the Equator, hoping to find race form in time for World Cup and Continental Cup openers in the late fall.
Right now, the U.S. Ski Team women are picking up steam for the World Cup season in New Zealand, including Mikaela Shiffirin, Lila Lapanja and Resi Stiegler – three World Cup slalom athletes preparing for what they hope will be another strong winter ahead.
North of the Equator, there’s still a lot of summer action going on from Mt. Hood, Oregon, to the resorts in Norway. American downhiller Andrew Weibrecht spent some time in Mt. Hood coaching and skiing before the U.S. men’s team heads to Chile.
Happy fourth. Livin the dream at #mthood #4thofjuly @steven_nyman @kma0419 #merica
A photo posted by Andrew Weibrecht (@a_weibrecht) on
Team Norway, minus Aksel Lund Svindal, is enjoying co-ed training time in its home country. Despite Svindal’s absense, Lotte Smiseth Sejersted and Mina Holtmann from the women’s team both returned to snow after their injuries last season.
Around Europe, other skiers who were injured last year have started their respective return to snow programs, including Anna Veith (née Fenninger), who will once again be a likely contender for the overall globe.
Six months after his crash at Kitzbuehel, Austrian speed skier Georg Streitberger also found his way back on the glacier. He reports that he is skiing pain free and is looking forward to the coming season.
get the right feeling back #lovemyjob
A photo posted by Anna Veith (@anna.veith) on
The snowball is certainly off and rolling, building momentum for an exciting winter. It’s gaining speed whether you’re ready or not. May the snow, wind and wax be ever in your favor. Let the 2016-17 season begin!
Cover image from Mikaela Shiffrin’s Facebook page
About the Author: Gabbi Hall
