Preparations for one of the most spectacular stages in the World Cup calendar of the FIS ski cross circuit are in full swing. In the Dolomite region “3 Zinnen”, the organisers want to continue to offer fans – especially the millions of viewers at home in front of the TV screens – a spectacular show on December 21 and 22. During a site inspection at Haunold in Innichen, it was recently defined where the organising committee from WSV Innichen in close coordination with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation FIS will make some changes on the course this year in order to make the event even more attractive and exciting.
The Ski cross World Cup in the Dolomite region 3 Zinnen is one of the most renowned events in the “Formula 1 of Ski Sports”. Every year, athletes and spectators are looking forward to the spectacular races on the Haunold, which stand out from many other World Cup locations due to its technical difficulties and the length of 1.200 meters.
In order to further challenge the top athletes in the near future, some changes were recently determined during the traditional FIS summer inspection of the slopes. The participants of the inspection were course builder Andreas Silbernagl (Prinoth), Klaus Waldner (FIS race director Ski cross), Anna Banach (Infront), Luigi Catalfamo (director Infront), Kurt Sulzenbacher (Chief of Competition in Innichen) and Gabriel Fauster (Secretary General Innichen).
“We will change the starting area completely in the upcoming winter and make it even more selective. In the future, the best ski cross athletes in the world can no longer afford to do mistakes – otherwise they will be out immediately. We will also design the middle part of the Haunold slope slightly differently. The course will be wider and faster in this area, giving more possibilities for overtaking maneuvers. At the same time, however, we will do everything we can to make the course as safe as possible from top to bottom” Gabriel Fauster comments.
The World Cup circuit will be coming to Innichen next winter on Sunday, December 18. After a training day, the two qualifications will be held on Tuesday, December 20. On Wednesday, December 21 and Thursday, December 22nd, the Dolomite region 3 Zinnen will witness racing action starting at noon, where World Cup athletes will battle it out for important World Cup points for the standings.
“The date before Christmas is of course ideal for us as a tourist destination. In general, all of South Tyrol benefits from our races, as well as those of our colleagues in Carezza, Val Gardena and Alta Badia from the concentrated load of winter sports and beautiful TV pictures so shortly before the holidays, which gives the guests a pleasant anticipation for their stay in our fantastic mountains,” Fauster concluded.
FIS Race Director Klaus Waldner added: “The organising committee of the Dolomite region 3 Zinnen in Innichen is already a very experienced one and it is really great working together with them to develop the course a little bit further and to implement changes, to keep the athletes on their toes. That will make the race interesting and of course, will give the viewers also something new to see. We can’t wait to race here at our traditional pre-Christmas races.”
Courtesy: Hannes Kröss (press office FIS Ski Cross World Cup Innichen)
