The International Ski Federation FIS presented the calendars of the Alpine skiing race series on Wednesday during the traditional spring meeting - this year for the first time via video conference due to the coronavirus pandemic. The date for the two speed races in Val Gardena/Gröden was also confirmed. On Friday, 18 December, the Super-G will take place underneath the Sassolungo/Langkofel mountain range followed by the class downhill on Saturday, 19 December.

This means that for the 53rd time, the legendary Saslong course in Val Gardena/Gröden will be the venue of the men's Alpine Ski World Cup races. The races for World Cup points on the last weekend before Christmas will be preceded by two training runs on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 December.

“It is a great satisfaction every year when the FIS officials confirm the dates as expected. We are also pleased that we will continue to appear on the World Cup calendar of the International Ski Federation in the coming years at least until the end of the 2022/23 season. This gives us, our staff and our partners security in terms of medium-term planning," explains Rainer Senoner, President of the organizing Saslong Classic Club.

However, due to the current global coronavirus crisis, the World Cup organizers will have to be extremely flexible in the upcoming season - including in Val Gardena/Gröden. "As already indicated in several interviews, we are planning for different scenarios this year. In the best case scenario, we can go host the races as usual. However, we will also be prepared if the number of spectators is limited or if we can’t hold the races in front of an audience at all," Senoner continues.

By the way, international racing flair is expected in Val Gardena/Gröden at the beginning of December, when the younger ski athletes will race for important FIS points at the Raiffeisen FIS Challenge on the Piz Sella.