Conditions force Crans Montana Downhill World Cup cancellation

The Women's Downhill race in Crans Montana was cancelled due to adverse conditions.

Following difficulties experienced by the first six racers, the Jury interrupted the race due to growing safety concerns. Athlete safety remained the top priority, with the Jury ultimately deciding to cancel the competition.

Women’s World Cup Race Director Peter Gerdol explained the decision:

“The main reason is the safety of the athletes. The visibility was getting worse and worse, they couldn’t see the race line properly and it caused mistakes. We saw six athletes starting and all six had some mistakes. This was a sign that it was a high-risk situation. We know that our sport is a risky sport, but the feeling was too much risk. That’s why the Jury decided to stop the race.”

The interrupted start, which saw three racers record DNFs, followed a course that had already changed compared to the morning inspection.

“The flat light was getting more and more challenging and safety could no longer be guaranteed,” Gerdol continued. “This is mainly the reason we decided to stop this race - for the safety of the athletes.”

Nina Ortlieb (AUT/Head), Marte Monsen (NOR/Rossignol) and Lindsey Vonn (USA/Head) were among those who encountered difficulties and did not complete their runs, with the decision taken after six competitors had started.