Alpine Inspection Team Visits Future Sochi Ski Site

(ATR)International Ski Federation race director Günter Hujara tells Around the Rings recent test events are of particular importance given the threat of avalanche now evident at Sochi's ski site.

Hujara and Atle Skaardal led inspection visits last week to Rosa Khutor, venue for the alpine events at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

The mountain resort, about a 45-minute drive from Sochi, held Europa Cup test events in February and will also host both men’s and women’s World Cup alpine races on consecutive weekends next February.

"It was very important that the test events with Europa Cup races were held," Hujara told ATR. "The slopes and infrastructure, such as the gondolas and chairlifts, were tested under competition conditions."

Women competed in two downhill races and one super-G, while men’s races were hampered by abundant snowfall and safety concerns the following weekend. Organizers managed to hold one downhill race after canceling a training run and super-G.

"The heavy snowfall during the men’s races caused extreme danger of avalanches," said Hujara.

"One avalanche went down the upper downhill course, damaging a TV tower and most of the start installations. The Europa Cup races were started from the lowest reserve start."

As a result of the potentially hazardous conditions on the mountain, a team of experts from the Swiss Avalanche Control Center has been brought in to assist the Russian organizers.

"A very important issue is the security of the field of competitors," he said. "That’s why the avalanche protection is a very urgent project which has to be undertaken this summer."

"Safety will be a big issue, but they have the top of the line new avalanche control systems," said Mike Kertesz, FIS director of race operations.

In preparation for next season’s World Cup test events, Hujara said FIS personnel were very detail-oriented in conveying their standard checklist but expressed some concerns related to race organization, course maintenance and accommodations.

"The lack of experience and know-how in organizing World Cup events became obvious," he said.

Collaborating with the FIS staff members were authorized personnel from the Russian Ski Association, Rosa Khutor Mtn. management and representatives from Sochi 2014.

"After two days of very detailed workshops, I have the feeling that the persons present understood," Hujara said in regards to meeting expectations for next winter’s important World Cup competitions.

"What is amazing about thisplace is that nothing is pre-existing – they are building everything from nothing," he added. "The Rosa Khutor Mtn. management definitely has the ability to do whatever we need to make this work and produce whatever we require."

Next season’sWorld Cup races at Rosa Khutor are Feb. 10-12 for the men and Feb. 18-19 for the women. Downhill and super combined races are on the slate, meaning the entire length of the Olympic course is expected to be tested.

"We made it very clear that the upcoming World Cup events will not only be a first high-level test, but they will also be run under the standards and requirements of the Audi Alpine Ski World Cup," said Hujara.

"Some deadlines were established and further meetings and targets were also discussed and scheduled."

Hujara also said he was highly impressed with the work and constructionrelatedto the venue infrastructure.

"I have absolutely no doubts that everything concerning construction, such as hotels, railway system, power lines,roads and so forth will be in place on time," he said.

"You will not find one square meter in the entire valley which is not under construction right now. Seven days, 24 hours is the workers schedule. We were impressed."

Despite the challenges, concerns and substantial work lying ahead for the Russian organizers, Hujara admitted he left the future Olympic venue with a good feeling.

"Leaving Rosa Khutor and Sochi, I had a much better and positive feeling than arriving."

World Cup Prize Money

Despite missing out a fourth consecutive overall title, American darling Lindsey Vonn was the top prize money winner on this season’s Audi FIS World Cup. The three-time Olympic medalist, who had eight victories this winter, earned $504,700. Germany’s Maria Riesch, who edged Vonn by three points to claim her first career season title, made $500,600.

On the men’s side, Croatia’s Ivica Kostelic earned $460,026 en route to his first overall title with seven season wins. Switzerland’s Didier Cuche was second collecting $282,533.

The top 10 in both the men's and women’s overall standings earned more than $109,000.

Marketing and Communications Director Retires

After 19 years of service, long-time FIS marketing and communications director Christian Knauth retired following the season-ending World Cup finals in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.

Knauth began his career with the FIS as a member of its Public Relations and Mass Media Committee before leading the Marketing and Communications department, which was established in 1992.

For nearly two decades, Knauth was part of the global ski community, building various initiatives as well as helping to establish the FIS partnership with Audi, current title sponsor of the Alpine ski world cup.

Written by Brian Pinelli.