The Italian Men’s World Cup events are ready to kick-off

Over the next fifteen days, there are seven FIS Audi World Cup events that are scheduled to take place in Italy, affectionally known on tour as the Italian Block.

Val Gardena/Gröden
The series will start in Val Garden/Gröden with a super-G on the 17th of December and a downhill race on the 18th of December. There have been two downhill races so far this season, one in Lake Louise (CAN) and the other in Beaver Creek (USA). Thus far the speed events have been a mixed bag of familiar faces and surprises on the podium. Vincent Kreichmayer (AUT) and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) were the early winners and are no strangers to the top step of the podium. But also making their first appearances in the top three this season, were Broderick Thompson (CAN) and Travis Ganong (USA), setting up an Italian Block where anything can happen.

Traditionally, the Norwegians have excelled in Val Gardena and Kilde enters the race with back-to-back victories. He will have to pull the weight of the Norwegian team virtually alone after Kjetil Jansrud suffered a season-ending injury in Beaver Creek. If Kilde pulls off the three-peat it would be the first time since Franz Klammer (AUT), who won in 1975 and twice in 1976.

Alta Badia
Once Val Gardena comes to a close, racing will continue the following day in Alta Badia with two giant slaloms on the 19th and 20th of December. Heading into the event, Marco Odermatt (SUI) is undoubtedly the favourite, after winning the first two giant slaloms of the season. Slovenian, Zan Kranjec and reining GS globe winner, Alexis Pinturault (FRA) are also strong contenders. Not to be left off the list of ones to watch is Austrian, Manuel Feller.

Last season, Pinturault claimed the victory in Alta Badia but was closely followed by Norwegian, Alte Lie McGrath, who finished only 0.07 seconds off the top time. Swiss skier, Justin Murisier placed third ahead of fellow Swiss skier, Marco Odermatt.

Madonna di Campiglio
The last race before the short Christmas break is the traditional slalom night event in Madonna di Campiglio on 22nd December. Being only the second slalom race of the season, the field is still fresh and athletes are still finding their ground. Nonetheless, last weekend in Val d’Isère, Clément Noel showed he is in top form with the victory.

In the previous season, the Norwegians dominated the podium in Madonna di Campiglio, with Henrik Kristoffersen and Sebastian Foss-Solevaag going 1-2, ahead of Italian, Alex Vinatzer.

Bormio
With a short break after Madonna di Campiglio, the speed teams will head to Bormio (ITA). On 28th December, there will be a downhill, followed by a super-G on the 29th.

Bormio will be a crucial race for the speed athletes as it will set the tone for the all-important January classics with Wengen (SUI) and Kitzbühel (AUT) waiting in the wings.