Too warm & rainy

Weather worries: speed races in Saalbach wobble!

High temperatures and constant rain are causing problems on the slopes at the Ski World Cup finale in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. This week is reserved for the speed competitions, with training runs taking place on Wednesday and Thursday. The last super-G and downhill races of the season are then scheduled for Friday and the weekend for both genders. Whether this will happen is not yet certain. One course change has already been made in advance.

As the lower part of the Ulli-Maier course was no longer suitable for racing due to the intensive salt treatment and precipitation, according to FIS Race Director Markus Waldner, the downhill and super-G competitions below the Ochsenritt passage will switch to the line of the Schneekristall course for the men. Originally, all speed races were supposed to use the Ulli Maier course so that it could be tested before the 2025 World Championships.

"Anything but promising"
The program for the next few days is still difficult to get through, as the weather forecasts are "anything but promising", said men's race director Waldner. It is expected to rain again on Thursday and at the weekend, and there could even be some fresh snow on Sunday. Temperatures will initially remain mild, with ten to 15 degrees in the valley. The big hope is a clear night from Tuesday to Wednesday, because it could cool down to just below freezing.

One possible option is just one training day to protect the piste. Basically, you have to look from day to day, said Bartl Gensbichler, chairman of the Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski club and president of the Salzburg Ski Association.