Peter Gerdol: “We did not want to expose the athletes to excessive risk”

The women’s FIS Ski World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana was cancelled rather than contested in falling snow that began during the race. The Organising Committee and the FIS were forced to accept the situation after six skiers had started, three of whom failed to finish on the Mont Lachaux slope. The crash of Lindsey Vonn ultimately convinced the race jury that cancellation was the best solution.

“The problem is that the situation and visibility conditions suddenly became too dangerous,” explains Peter Gerdol, Women’s FIS Ski World Cup Race Director. Yet at around ten o’clock, conditions were very different when Austria’s Nina Ortlieb pushed out of the start gate as the first racer. “We knew we had a very short window, and that window became even smaller due to the interruptions. We obviously lost a lot of time and, in the end, the situation clearly became too dangerous.”

A well-prepared slope

The Mont Lachaux slope, although known for its demanding nature, was well prepared. It was not the cause of the crashes involving Nina Ortlieb, Marte Monsen and Lindsey Vonn. “The slope itself is very good. The organisers did a great job,” says Corinne Suter, one of the three skiers who managed to reach the finish line before the cancellation. “Visibility was the issue. And when you can’t see properly, it becomes very complicated, especially on such a slope. In my view, cancelling the downhill was the right decision.”

The Olympic champion from Schwyz is supported in her assessment by France’s Romane Miradoli. “We have to be reasonable and make sure all the athletes can reach the bottom safely and in good health, with the upcoming deadlines,” said the French skier, referring to the Olympic Games starting in one week.

Technical errors and poor visibility

While the crashes of the three skiers were caused by technical mistakes, race conditions did not help. “The skiers made line errors, but these mistakes were due to the fact that they could no longer see the terrain properly. Ground visibility was insufficient. That is why we decided to cancel,” acknowledges Peter Gerdol. “I know skiing is a high-risk sport, but we do not want to expose the athletes to excessive risk.”

All the more so as there is still another speed race scheduled for Saturday for the women. Given the cancellation, it is possible that the super-G originally planned will be replaced by a downhill. One thing is certain, however, weather forecasts are expected to be much better in the Valais resort.