by Flavio Vanetti
Last weekend the Zermatt-Cervinia free descents were not held. A complication for Sofia Goggia’s chances of winning the General? Not exactly
Not so, for two reasons. The first, strictly linked to the calendar, is that the recovery of the two tests is very likely. Or at least one, for which the hypothesis of mid-December in Val d’Isre is already in prospect (for the second it is likely that we will wait to understand how the season will develop and whether there will be other cancellations). The second reason, however, is linked to a much more direct aspect: Sofia, by her own admission, reiterated at the beginning of October at the Fisi media day, does not feel in contention for the overall trophy: I should dominate on the downhill, go back to winning or go to the podium in super-G and be among the best in giant slalom again. But in this last specialty I’m not yet at the “top”, even if I’m rediscovering feeling and competitiveness.
Chapter closed, therefore: for the overall World Cup it will be a discussion between Shiffrin, Vlhova and probably Gut-Berhami. If an Italian enters the fray, it will probably be Federica Brignone, the most versatile of the Italians.
Reflection on Sofia suggests instead going back to talking about the flop of the first transnational competition of the white circus. We’ve been trying to leave from Zermatt, Switzerland, and arrive in Italy, in Cervinia, for two years. But every attempt was rejected.
In 2022 there was no snow at all, this time it was the fluctuating weather, combined with the characteristics of the area (Teodulo glacier, open spaces, risk of wind or alternatively snow, fog and poor visibility), which became an unbeatable enemy. Furthermore, the period did not help: the shift of a couple of weeks compared to 2022 did not help at all, the autumn phase remains very critical to hypothesize a race at that altitude and in that situation.
Perhaps there could be greater possibilities towards the end of the World Cup season, i.e. on the threshold of spring, but this alternative has been ruled out by the organisers. In their idea, these descents must be the launch moment of the tourist skiing year from November onwards: a prominent event, in short, to fuel the return from the recent and expensive investments made in the facilities. So there are no plans B in mind. Taking advantage of the tail end of the season to advertise spring-summer skiing or even the following winter season? We don’t even talk about it.
also for this reason that those who have put in (a lot of) money and ideas do not give up. In fact, the intention is to try again in 2024, challenging environmentalists, who contest the fact of going to bother the Teodulo glacier, and also challenging the evidence. In order for fireflies to be clearly distinguished from lanterns, we resort to numbers, which are never wrong. Considering that each men’s and women’s event involves five descents (three timed trials and two races), from 2022 20 descents should have been held on the Gran Becca: 10 for men and 10 for women. Only 2 (a men’s and a women’s timed trial) reached the finish line. Let’s say that there is enough left over to believe that this project cannot stand up. And perhaps the International Federation also has this feeling: two fundamental figures in the management of the competitions expressed, in camera caritatis, doubts about the opportunity to continue. We will talk about it again in the coming months, when the time comes again to draw up the calendars.
But the insurance scenario could be decisive against the risk of therapeutic obstinacy, as it usually compensates for cancellations due to exceptional events. The situation in 2022 was certainly outside the norm (scarce snow and anomalous heat) and we understand that the organizers were reimbursed. But this year’s prospects seem very different: snow, wind and bad weather in general cannot be invoked as exceptional events in the high mountains. We don’t know how the policies were stipulated: but if there wasn’t more than total coverage, the blow would be so high as to lead to more lenient advice and a wise about-face.
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November 20, 2023 (modified November 20, 2023 | 4:19 pm)
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2023-11-20 14:59:42
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