Ladies and Gents, the nights are getting cooler, the first Autumn snow has fallen and Sölden is 30 days away! So it is that time of year wear the FIS ski thread gets refreshed for the season ahead, and we get out Eurosport Player subscription renewed.
Welcome back to the 2022/23 installment of the white circus
Hopefully it is safe to say that this year will be back to a full blown tour, and the return of the crowds with Covid (fingers-crossed) a distant memory. There have been some big name retirements, athletes moving to new equipment manufacturers - some young guns vying for their first WC points, and of course endless hours put in over summer by the worlds best as they start their campaign for the coveted crystal globe.
But in my opinion there will be two historic events that will mark the 22/23 calendar:
1) The season opener for the speed athletes on the "Gran Becca" the controversial Matterhorn Cervino Speed event, a new piste designed by retired swiss racer Didier Defago, that will see the athletes push out of the gates at 3850m at Gobba di Rollin above Zermatt descending to Laghi Cime Bianci above Cervinia for the finish
2) Lake Louise will host its last WC races after over 40 years of hosting what is a downhill classic
What else is happening this season:
This year’s calendar will not include the traditional night slalom in Zagreb and the downhill and super-G speed races in Kivitfjell for the Men. Also the women will not compete in the Lienz GS/SL, Schladming night SL, Zauchensee DH/SG and the Garmisch-Partenkrichen DH/SG
There will also be giant slalom and slalom races in Pallisades Tahoe and the two DHs and a super-G races in Aspen.
UK + Europe: https://www.eurosportplayer.com/ - signup required £6.99 per month, annual options available - looks like they are moving to the discovery+ platform not sure if you now get more than just eurosport player in the package.
Alternative is to sign-up to Eurosport through Amazon - you can only access through Amazon video to watch not through the Eurosport player - they have in the past run offers for £0.01 per month new subscriber promo.
If you're in Europe the below broadcasters cover the races, otherwise a VPN will be needed for access - they are all free to view CH https://www.srf.ch/play/tv
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 30-11-22 16:26; edited 4 times in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Extreme barracuda wrote:
1) The season opener for the speed athletes on the "Gran Becca" the controversial Matterhorn Cervino Speed event, a new piste designed by retired swiss racer Didier Defago, that will see the athletes push out of the gates at 3850m at Gobba di Rollin above Zermatt descending to Laghi Cime Bianci above Cervinia for the finish
Thanks for the timely and comprehensive kick off!
Out of interest why is the Speed Opening event controversial?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Excited for the opening of the season now, 4 weeks to the first races.
@ster, a number of athletes had raised concerns over, the altitude (lack of oxygen)and the impact it will have on them, it is a lengthy course (longest on the circuit), exposed to high winds and limited features to aide in low light conditions, extremely early in the year, where the speed teams will have had very little opportunity to train. Glacier skiing only really good for tech training.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Extreme barracuda wrote:
@ster, a number of athletes had raised concerns over, the altitude (lack of oxygen)and the impact it will have on them, it is a lengthy course (longest on the circuit).....
Is it longer than the Lauberhorn at Wengen? That always used to be known as the longest World Cup downhill course, I guess they won't be too pleased to lose that title!
@ster, a number of athletes had raised concerns over, the altitude (lack of oxygen)and the impact it will have on them, it is a lengthy course (longest on the circuit).....
Is it longer than the Lauberhorn at Wengen? That always used to be known as the longest World Cup downhill course, I guess they won't be too pleased to lose that title!
I stand corrected - it is 3.7km long - the Lauberhorn is 4.4km - it seems some of the earlier articles had been touting it as "to be the longest", but seems the current agreed piste is not
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Extreme barracuda wrote:
I stand corrected - it is 3.7km long - the Lauberhorn is 4.4km - it seems some of the earlier articles had been touting it as "to be the longest", but seems the current agreed piste is not
Phew, Wengen can breathe a sigh of relief!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Alastair Pink wrote:
Extreme barracuda wrote:
@ster, a number of athletes had raised concerns over, the altitude (lack of oxygen)and the impact it will have on them, it is a lengthy course (longest on the circuit).....
Is it longer than the Lauberhorn at Wengen? That always used to be known as the longest World Cup downhill course, I guess they won't be too pleased to lose that title!
Per their respective websites
Gran Becca...... its 3.7km of length
Lauberhorn Downhill length ca. 4480m
So not the longest?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Really looking forward to the season and hopefully Rocket Dave can continue with his success from last year. Maybe a couple of the younger members of the team will start to push up the rankings too.
Though with funding being slashed I'm not sure what impact this will have.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
We are T-5 to the WC races kicking off in Soelden!
The Austrian Ski Association will be streaming the races live and for free via signing up through this link: https://app.skiworldcup.live/home
Going forward I am not sure if the Austrian Ski Association will keep providing free coverage - I suspect this is either a one off or for Austrian Races only.
Eurosport player is probably the easiest option for coverage - though if you are keen and use VPNs - you will usually find one of the European broadcasters covering the races -covered above in the 1st post.
We are T-5 to the WC races kicking off in Soelden!
The Austrian Ski Association will be streaming the races live and for free via signing up through this link: https://app.skiworldcup.live/home
Going forward I am not sure if the Austrian Ski Association will keep providing free coverage - I suspect this is either a one off or for Austrian Races only.
Eurosport player is probably the easiest option for coverage - though if you are keen and use VPNs - you will usually find one of the European broadcasters covering the races -covered above in the 1st post.
If you don’t mind commentary in German, and you have a VPN (if outside Switzerland) you can watch it all for free on SRF (Swiss TV). https://www.srf.ch/play/tv
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@extremerob, ha, yeah not many of us paying attention over here but thank you for that link. Was just getting lathered up looking at some photos of gondola cabins with winner's names at Kitzbühel, one of the coolest trophies in sports.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Really looking forward to this Sundays opener. Anyone know what conditions are like at the moment?
Gutted, just tuned in and was trying to workout why the race wasn't on.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Well apart from the Women's races getting cancelled due to the snow (it was very wet) and there was rain in the early hours of the morning, other big news and a big blow to organizers is the Men's speed races next weekend on the Matterhorn Cervino race courses have been cancelled - rain on the lower part of the course (non-glaciated area) has damaged the snow surface.
Word is the men's races will not be replaced - and the women's final decision for the opening speed races on the Matterhorn will be taken on Tuesday.
Despite the greatest efforts and tireless commitment on the part of the organizing committee, the men's downhill races of the Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening were cancelled on Saturday after the final snow check by race director Hannes Trinkl and assistant Raimund Plancker (men) due to the lack of snow and the safety situation on the course.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@extremerob, shame, I was looking forward to the Matterhorn -Cervino race.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@extremerob,
Thought when this was announced that it was a bit over ambitious on the early dates.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Men's giant slalom from Solden just starting on Eurosport.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Much better weather today at Solden and a good performance by the leader in the 1st leg
Marco Odermatt
2nd leg starts at 12:00 UK time.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Interesting that one of the racers getting a podium position today
Henrik Krisoffersen in 3rd position
was on a new ski brand, Van Deer
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Have to say - from recent memory, even if it looks white to the side of the pistes - that I haven't seen the snow in such bad shape. Very interesting second run.
Yes will be interesting to see how the Van Deer ski does over the coming years - Marcel has the ability to sell on his name, and I am sure great technical knowledge. They are being built by Augment Skis in Austria - and the word on the street is this is getting some serious money and backing as a brand.
Bode is now on his 3rd ski company I think - There was Bomber, Crosson and now he is on Peak (though suspect Peak will workout)
I didn't notice anyone on the new Kastle Boots - did not watch the later starters on R1.
Also first time I picked up on this - but all the athletes had a longines tag on the back of their boot - anyone has more details on how these work/what they do - does this mean sticking a hand forward over the finish line is no longer the way to stop the clock?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
extremerob wrote:
I didn't notice anyone on the new Kastle Boots - did not watch the later starters on R1.
Alex Tilley uses them, but obviously she didn't race.
Quote:
Also first time I picked up on this - but all the athletes had a longines tag on the back of their boot - anyone has more details on how these work/what they do - does this mean sticking a hand forward over the finish line is no longer the way to stop the clock?
The latest precisions state that timing is done on any part of the competitor's body crossing the finish line. Maybe the tag is to help with unofficial TV intermediate times.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
That was a fun opener, glad to see a personal favourite on the podium with his very smart looking new skis... Will definitely be interesting to see how the Van Deer skis go.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
How far ahead is today's winner? Just class!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Well and that's the women's opening speed races in Zermatt/Cervinia also cancelled now due to warm weather
Incidentally I've only just worked out that the Van Deer name that Marcel Hirscher has chosen for his ski company is almost certainly derived from his name, "Hirsch" being German for deer. Neat.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Alastair Pink, do keep up
After all it is free
After all it is free
@holidayloverxx, I try to, but at my age it's getting more difficult
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
We are 10 days out from the next set of races - the Parallel GS that takes place on the 12/13 Nov in Lech Zurs. It seems that there is already some doubts as to whether the races will be able to go ahead.
The organisers have started to move farmed snow (stored from last season) onto the race piste to form the base - and are hoping the forecasted snow at the end of this week, and that a sustained drop in temperatures will allow them to create a surface that racers will be able to use. The forecast for next week is showing freezing levels set to rise again which will of course make efforts to create engineered snow more difficult. Austria has just had its warmest October on record!
A very warm and dry start for the Alps this season, in comparison the Rockies are doing well with snow and cold temps already setting in.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Continued bummer, but thanks for running this thing. Yeah, the Western US is gonna get pounded for the next week, but the East is still hot.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
check out the following link: 
Will definitely be interesting to see how the Van Deer skis go.