The FIS Alpine World Cup returned in abbreviated fashion in Soelden, Austria this weekend after the men’s giant slalom was cancelled due to weather conditions.
According to U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the race is rescheduled for December 20 in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria. This is the first season that a rule change will allow for such a reschedule to happen.
Save the date: the cancelled Audi FIS Ski World Cup men's giant slalom from @soeldencom will be rescheduled in @saalbach on 20th December 2018. pic.twitter.com/uUPj3ifqZb
— FIS Alpine (@fisalpine) October 29, 2018
Per the U.S. Ski & Snowboard website:
“The opening FIS Ski World Cup men’s giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, was canceled [Sunday] due to heavy snow and strong winds. After last year’s cancellation, the International Ski Federation (FIS) has changed the rule, and it is now possible to replace the opening race in case of a cancellation.”
The weekend was far from actionless though as the women’s GS event was able to proceed prior to conditions deteriorating. America’s favorite pasta-pushing wunderkind earned a podium spot in low-visibility conditions behind Frenchwoman and friend Tessa Worley and Italian Federica Brignone.
⭐️Moments⭐️ So happy to be able to race today! It was a big fight, that’s for sure, but now we can say for real-the season has BEGUN🙊🙊🤪 Congrats @TessaWorley and Federica Brignone and also to many other girls who skied great in tough conditions! #3rdplace #bumpyride #abfttb pic.twitter.com/KTVfygmSHr
— Mikaela Shiffrin (@MikaelaShiffrin) October 27, 2018
The third-place finish evoked mixed emotions from Shiffrin, who hopes to challenge for the crystal globe that signifies the season’s best skier in giant slalom events.
As she told the AP:
“It is a great place to start and I know I have lot more in me,” she said. “Last year, Tessa, Vicky and I had a pretty good fight. I was not really consistent enough to be a contender for the globe but this year I hope I can be more consistent.”
Unofficial is officially looking forward to another pretty good fight this season.
Read the full recap of the Women’s giant slalom from the Associated Press here.