All Set for the Downhill
The Saslong is ready for the Downhill. The snow situation has not only lead to a flip-flop between the two speed races in Val Gardena/Gröden (Downhill on Friday, Super-G on Saturday), it also required a “spare the course” day to ensure the actual race is taking place an an absolutely flawless track. FIS Delegate Edi Dreschl gave the green light at today’s Team Captain’s Meeting (12/18): “All set for the Downhill.”
Tomorrow, Friday, 12/19, Jan Hudec (CAN) will open the moved-up World Cup Downhill race in Val Gardena/Gröden. The race jury decided to cancel today’s training run to allow for both speed events to take place on a well prepared Saslong course despite the minimal amounts of snow but also rather warm temperatures. This way, the course was treated with more care. FIS Race Director Markus Waldner re-iterated today in front of all the teams that this was a rather good decision: “It was wise to cancel today’s training. We have cleaned up the race line and thus created better conditions for tomorrow.”. Mr. Waldner’s assistant and former Downhill racer Hannes Trinkl explained how today’s maintenance work on the course also included re-working the Camel Humps: “We have leveled the edges somewhat, so that racers don’t airlift and can jump better.”
The conclusion of the Downhill will be followed immediately by the gate-setting for the Super-G, which is set to start at 12:15 pm on Saturday. Also tomorrow, the Downhill award ceremony along with the bib lottery for the Super-G will take place starting at 6:20 pm on the St.Anthony Square in Ortisei/St.Ulrich.
