Green light for Lake Louise speed races
LAKE LOUISE, Alberta — The 2015 Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup was given the green light on Monday following a successful snow inspection.
The International Ski Federation (FIS) confirmed during a visit to the Lake Louise Ski Resort that the first speed races of the 2015-16 Audi FIS Alpine World Cup are set to go ahead as planned. Men’s downhill and super G races will take place Saturday, Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 29, while ladies’ downhill races are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5, followed by a ladies’ super G on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Several days of heavy snowfall and good early-season conditions provided the backdrop to Monday’s successful inspection, also known as snow control. Hannes Trinkl, FIS Race Director for the World Cup men’s speed events, toured the track with men’s Chief of Race Darrell MacLachlan.
“We’re delighted to be able to once again welcome the world’s fastest ski racers to the Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup,” said Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup Chairman Brian Lynam. “There is still much work to do but our amazing team of volunteers, known as the Sled Dogs and the Net Monkeys, have been working hard installing safety systems and beginning the race track preparation. The snow conditions and the forecast are looking very good. Thanks to their efforts and the hard work of the team at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, we’re looking forward to hosting world-class races in less than two weeks.”
This winter marks the 28th year alpine World Cup races have been staged in Lake Louise. The races represent the one and only chance Canadian alpine racers have to win a World Cup on home snow. Manuel Osborne-Paradis, who was second in last year’s downhill at Lake Louise, is part of a Canadian men’s team that includes the returning Erik Guay and Jan Hudec, the 2014 Olympic Winter Games bronze medallist. Both Hudec and Osborne-Paradis are former Lake Louise winners. Norway’s Kjetil Jansrud won both Lake Louise men’s races in 2014. The ladies’ races are set to feature Canada’s Larisa Yurkiw and USA superstar Lindsey Vonn, who is also due to return to racing in time for the event following an ankle injury over the summer.
Men’s schedule of events
Date | Time (MST) | Event |
Wednesday, Nov. 25 | 11:30 a.m. | Men’s downhill training |
Thursday, Nov. 26 | 11:30 a.m. | Men’s downhill training |
Friday, Nov. 27 | 11:30 a.m. | Men’s downhill training |
Saturday, Nov. 28 | 11:30 a.m. | Audi FIS Alpine World Cup men’s downhill |
Sunday, Nov. 29 | 11 a.m. | Audi FIS Alpine World Cup men’s super G |
Ladies’ schedule of events
Date | Time (MST) | Event |
Tuesday, Dec. 1 | 12:45 p.m. | Ladies’ downhill training |
Wednesday, Dec. 2 | 12:45 p.m. | Ladies’ downhill training |
Thursday, Dec. 3 | 12:45 p.m. | Ladies’ downhill training |
Friday, Dec. 4 | 12:45 p.m. | Audi FIS Alpine World Cup ladies’ downhill I |
Saturday, Dec. 5 | 12:45 p.m. | Audi FIS Alpine World Cup ladies’ downhill II |
Sunday, Dec. 6 | 11 a.m. | Audi FIS Alpine World Cup ladies’ super G |
Release courtesy of Winterstart Events Ltd.