“Keep focused”: Beaver Creek SG cancelled, but athletes stay in zone

Sunday’s men’s Audi FIS World Cup super-G race at Beaver Creek was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

It followed Saturday’s cancelled downhill race, on a course that was again hit by high winds.

While the athletes were disappointed, they remained focused on the job at hand until the last minute: it is all part of what you have to do in a sport where conditions are so changeable, they reveal.

“Skiing is an outdoor sport and we know we are dependent on the weather, of course,” said Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT).

“How does it feel as an athlete when you’re looking forward to start the season, but there are no races yet? Of course we are sad, but it is part of skiing. It’s neither the first or last time that races will be cancelled.

“You try to stay positive and focused on the upcoming races. In the morning we skied a little, and we prepared with fitness training. It’s not hard to focus, whatever the forecast is, we always prepare as if the race is happening.”

Simon Jocher (GER) agrees. “It’s not a good feeling waiting around for races to start, but we prepare every day and try to be ready if there is a race happening,” he said.

“I spend my days relaxing, not laying in bed – maybe play some cards with teammates, but also go to the gym so the muscles can be ready.

“It’s hard when you look at the forecast, but you need to keep expecting a race.”

Daniel Hemetsberger added: “It’s unsatisfying when you’re looking forward to the first race of the season but it is like it is, we have to deal with it.

“I spent some time skiing, training on the bike. Yes, it is really difficult to stay focused when the forecast is really bad, but we have to deal with it.”

Jared Goldberg (USA) agreed. “It’s just super unfortunate. I feel like we have been ready for a while but can’t do our job,” he said.

“We usually get some good dryland, or into a game. We went to the next town over and played some tenoccer [a cross between tennis and soccer]. But you always keep the attitude that the race is on, until you hear otherwise.”

The fastest men on skis will hope for more favourable conditions on the weekend of 15-16 December, when they head to Val Gardena/ Groeden for the next scheduled super-G and downhill.