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Spectators were unable to hit the slopes during the first weekend of the new season’s World Cup. The target area in front of the glacier sand at 2,674 meters above sea level had been divided into four areas due to Covid-19 conditions, which observers said worked immediately well. The discipline of everyone involved was high: some who did not wear their masks correctly were politely but firmly asked to “touch up.”
Media interviews also went smoothly with the required safety distance over a fence because the noise level was kept within limits. The large concrete stand, destined for the 200 guests, was quite empty. Also because not all the guests had come to the first races. The athletes did not like the lack of atmosphere in the finish area and throughout the course. However, this should not serve as an excuse for the historic defeats of the women and men of the ÖSV.
Sölden’s concept builds trust
Even if the start of the Ski World Cup in Sölden was negative from a sporting point of view, the ÖSV can at least be satisfied with a successful safety concept. This gives the ski circus an optimistic view of the upcoming races in Zürs and Lech.
“The event was really great”
With 15th place for Katharina Truppe in the women’s category and 17th place for Stefan Brennsteiner in the men’s category, the Austrians achieved their worst results to date in Sölden. ÖSV President Peter Schröcksnadel remained calm. More important to him was the smooth running of the Sölden races, which were considered a test for the upcoming competitions. It continues on November 13 and 14 with parallel giant slalom races in Lech / Zürs (live on ORF1).
“The event was really great. That’s good for the sport and for the races that follow, ”said Schröcksnadel. The big picture was more important than the sports results this weekend. “Even if I could change, I would prefer good organization to victory.” And in terms of organization, everything that the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) had planned to do as an organizer worked.
“I think we have learned a lot and that others can learn something from us. We saw that it can work, that you can have the organization under control. That’s very, very important for tourism and winter sports, ”said Schröcksnadel. “I also believe that winter sports can work as a whole. There were also no infections in the cable cars in summer. Nothing happened there either, so why should it be worse in winter? “
FIS race director Waldner satisfied
“We will certainly learn a lot from this event,” said FIS race director Markus Waldner after the season opener in Sölden. What will remain are the “bubbles” in which selected athletes, supervisors, court workers, journalists and guests can move. Even in Val Gardena, where the first downhill classic of the season takes place in December, people are already preparing for the strict separation of individual groups.
In any case, it seems clear that measures as drastic as in Sölden cannot be implemented in all the events of this World Cup season. The organizers have logistical reasons for this, especially when, unlike Rettenbachferner, the places are populated by winter tourists. On the other hand, the restrictions put athletes and teams to a harsh long-term acceptance test.
Testing creates uncertainty
There is uncertainty about the tests and their consequences: if, for example, one team member tests positive shortly before a race, the whole team threatens to be excluded. For athletes in a sport in which colds and infections are normal in winter anyway, permanent insecurity means great emotional stress. Coronavirus testing is also a huge logistical challenge for all nations.
As if organizing training sessions and races, including trips to and from ski slopes across Europe, weren’t already a gigantic task, now testing is being added. A negative result must not be more than 72 hours before a competition.
Winter tourism differentiation
Even after Sölden, it’s still unclear how a stakeholder demarcation will work in the middle of the Christmas season. The World Cup slopes may be closed to tourists, there are almost no ski lifts or gondolas. “From Val d’Isere we have to live with winter tourism, even in accommodation,” said Waldner. “We no longer isolate hotels alone.”
“But we already have the concept that certain clubs are insulated,” Waldner added. “Of course we have to make it a little more relaxed, otherwise it just won’t work.” Some organizers, including some of the more traditional ones, would now carefully consider whether the financial risk is worth it. “They have to invest, but at the last minute conditions could be such that a race has to be canceled.”
Schröcksnadel raised another central issue. Whether there will be a normal World Cup mid-season depends on the entry conditions. “If there are travel restrictions and people are not allowed in, then it becomes critical,” said the Tyrolean.
