After an 11-year break, the Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup is returning to Beaver Creek. The women’s races will be held on the challenging course of Beaver Creek for the first time. And we still remember how much trouble the track brought even the most experienced athletes among men. We will see how ladies handle the scary slope on Saturday (14th) and Sunday (15th December), as both downhill and super-G events will occur in Colorado the following weekend. Thus, the ladies’ speed season will finally get on track.
The Birds of Prey slope is known for its steep sections, tight corners, and technical challenges, with a vertical drop of 705 meters and a length of 2134 meters. The route starts at an altitude of 3435 meters and features 33 gates in the downhill. In the past, the women’s Ski World Cup races in Beaver Creek were held on the Raptor slope, which was specially designed for them. This year, the women will tackle the terrain of the “Birds of Prey” for the first time, which was previously reserved for the men.
We will see about the weather, as light snow and some clouds might limit visibility. On Wednesday, the official training starts, and then we will see how women fare on the icy slope. The forecast says that temperatures will remain safely around zero during the day and below zero at night, thus making conditions similar to those the men enjoyed concerning the slope. So, even ladies can expect a hard, icy, and fast track. This might suit the bravest, like Sofia Goggia (returning after injury, though) or Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI), who is also known to lack fundamental fear.
Who to Watch in Beaver Creek?
The speed season is only starting, so we have to once again deduce from last year’s results and news about athletes’ preparation and training. The first downhill training might provide hints, but the absolute favorites rarely show their cards on train day.
As for the Austrian squad, let us watch Cornelia Hütter and Mirjam Puchner first. Hütter holds last year’s Crystal Globe for the best downhiller amongst women. Both of these ladies tested their strength in the FIS downhill races at Copper Mountain last weekend, each gaining one victory during the racing weekend. Other downhill skiers used this opportunity to shake the rust off their skis. Also, Stephanie Venier (AUT) and Emma Aicher (GER) performed well. However, these races resemble training runs; most athletes might use them to test their skills but will not risk an injury.
Amongst the Swiss, we count Corinne Suter. However, she is only now returning after an injury, and her medical team stated that only the training will say whether Corinne will start in the races or put off her comeback. Of course, Lara Gur-Behrami is a fast lady and finished second in the downhill overall competition last year. She had won downhill and super-G last time ladies raced in Beaver Creek, but that was 11 years ago and on a different slope.
Then there is the speed queen Sofia Goggia (ITA). She is returning after a shin fracture that made her take an eight-month break. However, we have seen Goggia return so many times, always with grit and fortitude; thus, we expect great things from her. Especially since she declared that it felt like her leg had never been broken at all.
Lindsey Vonn will also start as a special guest and forerunner in Beaver Creek. This event is part of her comeback strategy, as she was collecting points in the Copper Mountain FIS races to earn herself a wild card and officially race in St. Moritz next week.
So, let the ladies’ speed season begin.
