“We are so sorry that we have to cancel the competitions that we have prepared for for so long. The current situation give us no other option than to cancel.” –World Cup Manager Fredrik Broman
Just a few hours after Mikaela Shiffrin announced plans to return to the Alpine skiing World Cup for its final weekend after the tragic passing of her father, international organizers canceled the races, giving Italy’s Federica Brignone the season title that Shiffrin had held for the past three years.
NBC Sports reports Mikaela had confirmed early Wednesday morning that she would return for the final weekend at Åre, Sweden. Later in the day FIS announced plans to hold the races without spectators to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Shortly thereafter, FIS announced that the races wouldn’t be held at all. The World Cup Finals, scheduled for next week in Cortina, had already been canceled due to coronavirus concerns in Italy.
Shiffrin still had a slim chance of winning the season title for a fourth straight year despite not racing since Jan. 26 but she will not get the chance. Instead, she will finish in second place. Mikaela was gracious in defeat and made this post ↓ congratulating Federica. Our hears go out to Shiffrin who is a champion on and off the mountain and we wish her all the best in the offseason.
