Val d’Isere to take over canceled Beaver Creek races

Following the cancellation of the races in Beaver Creek, the French resort of Val d’Isère has been confirmed to take over the men’s downhill, super-G and giant slalom events on Dec. 2-4.

The Audi FIS Ski World Cup just lost five races due to unseasonably warm weather and lack of snow in North America. While Lake Louise and Beaver Creek have to face a delayed winter, Central Europe has been blessed with snow early in the season this year.

“After the cancellations in North America, our main concern was to find a replacement site and Val d’Isère offered a solid option from the beginning,” said Chief Race Director Markus Waldner. “Discussions with the local organizing committee, the French Ski Federation and Infront led to good solutions and the confirmation that Val d’Isère is taking the challenge and jumping in to replace the Beaver Creek races. We thank all the parties for the great collaboration and look forward to hold those races in Val d’Isère.”

For the first time since 2007, the men will race speed events on the O.K. course in Val d’Isère. The resort will host the three replacement races in addition to the traditional Criterium de la Première Neige.

“First, we’re really sad for our friends in Beaver Creek,” said Vincent Jay, director of Val d’Isère’s Club des Sports. “We know too well all the hard work that has to go into organizing a World Cup race and the loss in energy, time, and money that a cancellation represents. Ski racing has been in our genes for the past 60 years. In the past we have organized countless World Cup races and we can do this at short notice when we have to. We are proud to meet the challenge of organizing eight races in three weeks.”

The packed competition program in Val d’Isère is now the following:

Dec. 2: Men’s Super-G (replacement Beaver Creek)
Dec. 3: Men’s Downhill (replacement Beaver Creek)
Dec. 4: Men’s Giant Slalom (replacement Beaver Creek)
Dec. 10: Men’s Giant Slalom
Dec. 11: Men’s Slalom
Dec. 16: Ladies’ Alpine Combined
Dec. 17: Ladies’ Downhill
Dec. 18: Ladies’ Super-G

Release courtesy of FIS