Korean World Cup Downhill Event Draws Rave Reviews

(ATR) For an Olympic test event that was in doubt just a few weeks ago, Korean organizers staged a successful World Cup downhill race on the future 2018 Olympic course.

The world’s elite ski racers were more than satisfied with the new Jeongseon Alpine Center slope, course conditions and overall organization of Saturday’s event.

As the first of 28 Olympic test events between now and February 2018, it was an auspicious beginning for PyeongChang 2018 organizers.

Norwegian Kjetil Jansrud won the race. Italian Dominik Paris was second, two-tenths behind, and American Steven Nyman third.

The three-time Olympian Jansrud was asked if the new course is fast and challenging enough for the PyeongChang Olympics in two years.

"This is more than acceptable for an Olympic downhill venue," Jansrud said.

"The way it was running was almost too fast because the jumps are very big, which is also exciting," the Norwegian said. " For me, it’s a fun race – Kitzbuehel is dangerously scary and this is fun, it’s a cool downhill."

Racers sped down the Jeongseon course on a sun-splashed early afternoon and in ideal sub-freezing temperatures that kept snow conditions on the piste ideal.

The 2857-meter Bernhard Russi-designed course featured four large jumps and long, sweeping turns with speeds around sixty-five mile-per hour. Although it is short in length by World Cup standards - running just over one-minute and forty seconds – racers said it presents an interesting challenge.

"With how short it is, it actually makes it pretty interesting because you have to really ski accurately and ski with a lot of intensity to be fast," the U.S. skier Nyman said. "It’s going to be a tight race and I think that’s really exciting for the crowd as well."

"It’s not the longest, but it’s a fun course and a good downhill," said the Italian racer Paris.

The opinions were contrary to those of Italian skier and 2014 Olympic downhill silver medalist Christof Innerhofer, who has insisted that the Jeongseon course is not nearly fast enough for skiers or thrilling enough for spectators.

As a result of the cold temperatures, athletes raved about the firm and aggressive snow conditions, making the comparison to the ‘Birds of Prey’ course in Beaver Creek, Colorado.

In what has been a crash and injury filled World Cup season, no crashes resulted at Saturday’s race. Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde was the only of 53 racers who failed to complete the course, losing his left ski near the top section of the course.

Race organizers bussed in 1,200 fans from Gangwon Province to fill the bleachers and finish area, contributing to the venue atmosphere. Four cute mascots frolicked with spectators, while traditional Korean dancers, drummers and cheerleaders provided entertainment for all adjacent to the finish area. A small group of Korean fans picnicked and drank Soju before the race, while free hot drinks were on offer for others.

The race was broadcast live on Korean MBC TV with more than 100 broadcast personnel contributing to the international production.

On the sidelines of the event, members of the organizing committees for the 2018, 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games met together for the first time. The three groups discussed cooperation and collaboration to advance the vision of the Olympic Movement in Asia.

Skiers return to the Jeongseon venue for a super-G on Sunday, concluding the Olympic test event.

Kasper and Lindberg Commend Cho and the Koreans

International Ski Federation president Gian-Franco Kasper, PyeongChang 2018 chairman Cho Yang-Ho coordination commission chairman Gunilla Lindberg addressed Korean and international media following the race.

"Today was a great day, in fact it was a historic day for Korea and the international sports community," Cho said. "Today, we put Korea on the map of the international sports world."

"We are encouraged to see that the athletes are very satisfied with the new course and are very pleased with the venue conditions.

"I am very proud of what we accomplished so far. Today, we had a promise to deliver and we delivered," Cho said.

Kasper watched the race alongside Lindberg and Lim Kyung-soon, Korea’s first skier to participate in the Winter Olympics in 1960.

The FIS chief extended congratulations to Cho and his team for their commitment and perseverance with preparations in staging the successful downhill race.

"In November, along with the IOC, we had doubts that they would be able to pull it off," Kasper said, referring to delays with construction of the gondola and concerns over lack of snow.

"We have an excellent downhill course according to the athletes and coaches. It’s a beauty and a downhill that is really made for the Olympics," said the FIS boss.

"There will be improvement made to this downhill over the next two years which are necessary. It may be made more difficult, but don’t forget that at the Olympics we have athletes competing instead of just the top 30 skiers."

There are still a lot challenges in front of you Mr. Cho and now we know that you can deliver."

Korean journalist Jung Hyn Suk of KBS asked PyeongChang 2018 Co-comm Lindbergh to rate the event on a scale of one to 100.

Lindberg boldly rated the event 100, generating rapturous applause from Korean journalists and TV crews in the press room.

"Today, was a major step forward for the preparation of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games and for PyeongChang’s desire to open new winter sports horizons for Korea," Lindberg said.

"Today would not have been possible without the commitment of Korea to keeps it promise to the athletes and the Olympic Movement."

Written by Brian Pinelli

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