The upcoming South Tyrolean World Cup classic is clearly on the horizon, as evidenced by the traditional autumn inspection visit from representatives of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to Val Gardena/Gröden. On Thursday, just over three months before the competition, the FIS team reviewed last year's Saslong Classic in detail and previewed this year's event, which will feature the Super-G on December 20 and the Downhill on December 21.

FIS race directors Markus Waldner and Hannes Trinkl, along with assistant Raimund Plancker, agreed during their visit to the Saslong Classic Club's new headquarters in St. Cristina that the 2023 World Cup races in December were of the highest quality and garnered significant global attention. This praise was well received by president and race director Rainer Senoner, deputy race director Werner Perathoner, and course manager Horst Demetz, who were joined by Massimiliano Rinaldi from the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI). The positive feedback serves as motivation for the entire Val Gardena/Gröden organizing committee to once again deliver top-tier speed races and an exciting entertainment program.

The mandatory meeting also covered several minor adjustments to the 57th Saslong Classic, including refinements to the race course design. Discussions addressed the organizing committee's internal structures, which are solidly established. "The various sectors are functioning well, and preparations are on track—thanks to our dedicated team managers who have been working diligently for weeks," said Senoner. He also announced that the Speed Clinic—a training camp for young female racers—will take place at the end of November on Plan de Gralba before the traditional FIS races.

Regarding the sports program, national teams will arrive on Monday, December 16. They will have three training days on Tuesday, December 17; Wednesday, December 18; and Thursday, December 19, before the Saslong Classic kicks off with the Super-G on December 20 and concludes with the Downhill on December 21.

Additionally, Val Gardena/Gröden is prepared for a potential third World Cup race. If a race in the early season is canceled, the South Tyrolean resort will host an additional sprint race on Thursday, December 19, as it did last year. Many of the contractual details have already been settled, and this procedure is included in the 2024/25 FIS World Cup calendar.