World Cup in Val di Fassa: La VolatA ready, Goggia leads the Super-G standings
The La VolatA course in the San Pellegrino Ski Area has been prepared and fine-tuned by the Val di Fassa Grandi Eventi Organising Committee, supported by technicians from Ski Team Fassa, Monti Pallidi and FassActive. Ahead of the race weekend on Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March, several adjustments have been made - including modifications to some jumps - at the request of FIS Race Director Peter Gerdol. The start areas for both the Downhill and the Super-G have also been moved to a higher altitude compared to previous editions.
Tomorrow, Wednesday 4 March, athletes will have their first opportunity to test the full, highly technical course during the first official Downhill training run, with the first reference times to follow. The programme repeats on Thursday 5 March with a second training session. Racing begins on Friday 6 March with the rescheduled Downhill originally cancelled in Crans-Montana, followed by a second Downhill on Saturday 7 March. The weekend concludes on Sunday 8 March with the Super-G, awarding crucial points in the discipline standings - currently led by Italy’s Sofia Goggia.
In the overall World Cup standings, American star Mikaela Shiffrin is on course to claim her sixth Crystal Globe. In the Super-G standings, Goggia leads with 280 points, ahead of Alice Robinson on 220. The Downhill standings remain wide open: injured leader Lindsey Vonn still tops the table with 400 points, followed by Germany's Emma Aicher (306) and Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (256). Goggia remains in contention with 240 points, just ahead of Trentino skier Laura Pirovano (236).
Italy's team for the Val di Fassa races will include Sofia Goggia, Laura Pirovano, Elena Curtoni, Nicol Delago, Nadia Delago, Roberta Melesi, Asja Zenere, Sara Allemand, Sara Thaler and Ilaria Ghisalberti.
Double Olympic champion Federica Brignone will not be on the start list. Organising Committee President Fausto Lorenz sent her his best wishes: “We are very sorry Federica won't be racing on La VolatA, and we thank her for the emotions she gave us just a few days ago on the Olympic slopes of Cortina, bringing Italy to the top of the world. We hope to see her back on our snow soon, remembering her wonderful victory on La VolatA in the 2021 World Cup Super-G - a success that stayed with us, achieved during the difficult months of the Covid pandemic.”
Beyond the sporting programme, a major promotional event is scheduled for Saturday 7 March. From 6 p.m., the centre of Moena will host the Opening Parade: Italian athletes will ride in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by Moena's ski instructors together with colleagues from Canazei, Campitello, Pozza and Vigo. The parade will also feature the U.S. Monti Pallidi, Ski Team and Fassa Active ski clubs, the young performers of Circensema, the Scufons del Cogo, and the Soraga Folk Group. Local institutions and FISI representatives will be present, and the Moena Band will provide music throughout the procession. Spectators can also enjoy performances by stilt artists, adding a touch of spectacle to the evening.
