(Saalbach) The descent in Saalbach, Austria, which was to conclude the Alpine Ski World Cup season on Sunday, was canceled due to “wind and snowfall”, the International Ski Federation (FIS) said. .
The small globe of the discipline therefore goes to the Swiss Marco Odermatt, ahead of the Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin, the long-awaited final duel between the two skiers not having been able to take place.
Already winner of the big general globe and the small giant globe and the super-G, the Swiss wins the downhill ranking with 42 points ahead of Sarrazin.
“Due to the current weather conditions with wind and snowfall affecting the track, and to ensure the safety of the athletes, the organization has decided to cancel the race,” the FIS said around 12:30 p.m.
The organizers tried until the end to save the race initially scheduled for 11:15 a.m. They first announced a postponement at noon, then another at 12:30 p.m. and again at 1 p.m., before resigning themselves.
The snowfall which began on Saturday afternoon and continued on Sunday made it impossible to hold the event, especially as significant gusts of wind shook the gates at the top of the track.
The men’s World Cup therefore ends as it began five months ago in Sölden in Austria: with a cancellation.
The Ski World Cup was punctuated all winter by cancellations due to weather hazards – too much snow, not enough, too wind –, sparking criticism and questions about the race calendar.
In total, 21 races (13 for men, 8 for women) were canceled, the vast majority of which were speed events. Only five of the canceled races could be rescheduled during the season.