Cross summer inspections in full swing

The newly appointed joint Race Directors Cross Klaus Waldner and Uwe Beier and their teams started their first summer inspections for the upcoming season.

The inspection tour kicked-off with Montafon, the Austrian resort, which once again will host both, ski and snowboard cross during one weekend this year (December 10-12 2020). Traditionally, Montafon is the first get-together of the season for the entire cross family and while crazy exciting heats can be watched during the competition on the mountain, the evening programme is also always quite entertaining for cross fans in the valley of Schruns.

As of course the Covid-19 pandemic is still hovering around us, the organizers are carefully planning on a major side event in the valley for Saturday night after the second competition day, as it is tradition at the Montafon World Cup. The concept will be slightly different for a change, but it is still in the making and depending on Austria's regulations on Covid-19 measures, it will be finalized around September.

The inspection then continued to Switzerland's Arosa. The organizers stated that they are confident to host a safe and successfull night sprint event for the ski cross athletes. A specific plan is already in place to handle the World Cup event with all necessary measures implemented. The already traditional night race will take place on December 15.

The tour rounded out with the final stop in Innichen/ San Candido - 3 Zinnen Dolomites (ITA), where the hosts of the already 12th edition of the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup, assured to be also ready and prepared for the challenges that might be faced this upcoming winter. Back-to-back races are slated to go down on December 19-20.

"The pandemic doesn't make the job very easy for us, but we are a very experienced organizer and we are preparing various possible scenarios for the organization of the World Cup. We need to keep in mind that there is a possibility of some restrictions and we will need to adapt in every way.  We are fully aware of how the event may change because of Covid-19, but we will be ready to host a great event with its new name - AUDI FIS Ski Cross World Cup 3 Zinnen Dolomites", Helmut Senfter, the OC president states.

While new Cross Race Director for ski cross Klaus Waldner (AUT) and FIS Assistant Race Director Ski Cross Chritian Cretier (FRA) were both present in December 2009 at the very first World Cup race ever held in Innichen/ San Candido, they now look into the future of December 2020, being thankful to such a devoted organizer: "The motivation and dedication to the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup of the entire organizing team of Innichen/ San Candido is amazing. We are very lucky to have such an experienced team as organizers for our last back-to-back competition before the Christmas break. It is good to know that they believe in ski cross and want to make it happen, no matter the obstacles", Klaus Waldner says.

The cross summer inspections were definitely a big success so far, since all parties involved agreed there is a need for a specific plan in place for all kinds of options facing possible Covid-19 challenges this upcoming winter, but also all parties made it clear that they will be ready and prepared come World Cup time.

The Cross Race Directors will continue their summer inspections within the following weeks, wherever possible in person and additionally have planned several online meetings with organizers in countries, where travel restrictions still might be in place.