Wind to pose ‘challenge’ for Shiffrin, rivals
PYEONGCHANG: American ski sensation Mikaela Shiffrin and her rivals will face a “challenge” when they take to the slopes for today’s Olympic giant slalom, according to FIS race chief Atle Skaardal.
The men’s downhill was postponed yesterday because of high winds and an unfavourable weather forecast which also saw the cancellation of today’s downhill training for the men’s combined event. The forecast for the Yongpyong course, where the women’s giant slalom will be held, was for another bitterly cold day today, with temperatures of -16 degrees Celsius (3.2 Fahrenheit) at the start of the first leg. That will be accompanied by winds gusting at up to 18m/s, lending a truly glacial chill to proceedings.
“Tomorrow’s weather forecast is not great in terms of wind,” said Skaardal, chief race director for women’s FIS races. “It will be, for sure, a challenge for the racers... for everybody. “We will do everything possible” to make sure the race goes ahead, including lowering the start if required, said the former Norwegian racer, twice a super-G world champion.
Racers were able to train despite the strong winds. “Today was good in the morning hours... and the wind also calmed down in the afternoon hours again,” said Skaardal. At the Jeongseon course used for speed events, the winds were so strong that the gondola used to take racers and officials up the mountain could not run for safety reasons.
The women are also reliant on a gondola, the 3.7kmlong Rainbow lift, but Skaardal was confident it would operate effectively. A FIS team has been based in Pyeongchang for several weeks of preparation “and the gondola hasn’t stopped for a single day. Even today it was fine”, he said. The women’s giant slalom promises to be one of the closest races on the Olympic alpine skiing programme. Shiffrin, 22, is bidding for multiple medals, but she will face tough opposition from the likes of reigning world champion Tessa Worley of France and 2010 Olympic gold medallist Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany.