On the Scene in Sochi - Busy Week of Test Events Ahead

(ATR) In what has so far been a busy month of critical World Cup training and test events at the future Sochi Olympic venues, freestyle skiers, snowboarders, bobsledders and skeleton athletes take their turn next week.

Unseasonably mild temperatures ranging in the mid-fifties to lower-sixties Fahrenheit and lack of significant new snowfall have made preparations at the outdoor venues challenging. However, despite cancellations of slopestyle events – new to the Olympic program in 2014 – at this week’s joint freestyle ski and snowboard World Cup, all other events are expected to take place.

Earlier this week, Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko spoke about the situation at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, the shared venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. "Based upon weather conditions, the decision was made by the FIS," he said about to the slopestyle cancellation. "Of 10 disciplines, eight will still take place. Delegates from the FIS decided that the quality of snow is appropriate for the other events. I will keep my fingers crossed."

The cancellation of both the freestyle ski and snowboard slopestyle events leaves a considerable gap at the beginning of the proposed schedule, and due to the changes a small group of journalists are opting not to come to Krasnaya Polyana. The snowboard slopestyle was expected to occur on Monday while the freestyle skiing slopestyle was slated to for Wednesday.

Now the official program kick offs with snowboard halfpipe qualifying on Wednesday and finals of the event not until Thursday. Parallel giant slalom will also be contested Thursday. Parallel slalom and snowboard cross events will complete the schedule of events between Feb. 14 and 17.

Regarding the freestyle World Cup, action will now begin two days later with men’s and women’s moguls on Feb. 15, followed on subsequent days by halfpipe, aerials and ski cross.

Alexsandr Savilov, venue manager at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, was reached by Around the Rings on Saturday, but was unable to comment in detail about ongoing preparations, only saying that "everybody is working hard and everything is good."

The Rosa Khutor Extreme Park venue is comprised of two separate finish areas in close proximity. They are referred to as HAM and PSC – Ham for halfpipe, aerials and moguls and PSC for parallel snowboard, slopestyle and cross, referring to ski and snowboard cross.

Olympic qualification in both freestyle skiing and snowboarding is continuing, adding to the importance of this week’s test event for the athletes.

Skeleton, Bob Take the Ice at Sanki Sliding Center

The world’s elite bobsledders and skeleton athletes begin official training this week at the Sanki Sliding Center, following last week’s international training, with the first-ever World Cup races slated for next weekend at the new venue.

U.S. bobsled driver Steve Holcomb, the reigning Olympic champion, last week got his first glimpse at the new venue, where he will seek to defend his title next February.

Holcomb spoke about driving and competing on a track that has been plagued by warm temperatures between 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit over the past week.

"There is not a lot of snow on the ground, but one thing that is great about bobsledding is that the track is refrigerated, so we can go in almost any conditions," he said. "The track is in great shape right now. It has been completely covered so it can rain or snow and it’s not really going to affect us much. So far everything seems to be going pretty smoothly."

The Sanki Sliding Center track is nestled in the Krasnaya Polyana valley on the northern slope of Aibga Ridge, starting at an elevation of 836m below sea level. It runs a length of just over 1,800m, and maximum speeds are approximately 135km per hour. It is the longest track in the world and also considered the safest.

"The track is actually one of the most beautiful that I’ve seen," said Holcomb. "They’ve put a lot of work and thought into the architecture. The track design is pretty impressive. There are three sections that are uphill, which is rare. It creates a challenge because if you make a mistake in the uphill it will double or triple by the finish."

Many have speculated that the Sochi track was designed to be slower and safer as a result of the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili during training at the Vancouver Games.

"It kind of seems that every time you hit a little bit of speed there is an uphill section to slow it down," said Holcomb. "It’s incredibly steep with long straightaways and it seems they wanted to make it fast but at the same time minimize the dangers and prevent any accidents and that’s good to know."

Holcomb also discussed the nonstop construction around the new venue, expressing no doubts that everything will be completed on time.

"Literally, they’re working right behind our hotel building the train station," he said. "I can promise you that they’re working around the clock. It’s pretty incredible to watch the nonstop building. They’re going to finish no problem."

The defending Olympic gold medalist and two and four-man bobsled world champion said there is excitement in the air.

"It’s only a test event but everyone is really excited," he said. "The volunteers are excited and want to take pictures with us when we finish our runs. I think there is just a good energy and positive vibe at the venue and I’m excited."

Holcomb’s toughest challenge next weekend will likely by Russian pilot Alexander Zubkov. Recently crowned four-man world champion and World Cup leader Maximilian Arndt of Germany will not start due to persistent inflammations of the skin on his lower back and is being treated at a Munich hospital.

Ladies bobsled and men’s skeleton World Cup races take to the ice this Friday, followed by ladies’ skeleton and men’s two-man bobsled on Saturday. The program concludes with the showcase men’s four-man bobsled Sunday.

Written and reported in Sochi by Brian Pinelli.

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