The men's Audi FIS World Cup at Lake Louise races for Nov. 24 and 25 are officially a go.
Organizers announced on Nov. 12 that they have achieved positive snow control, so the Nov. 24 downhill and Nov. 25 super-G are set to go.
"We have been working since early fall to put all the pieces in place to welcome the world to Lake Louise for the opening men's speed races of the 2018-19 FIS World Cup tour. The efforts of our race organizing committee, our Sled Dog volunteers, the Net Monkeys and the entire team at the Lake Louise Ski Resort means we will be race ready," men's Chief of Race Darrell MacLachlan said in a release.
The race will be the first FIS speed races of the 2018-19 season.
Whistler Mountain Ski Club alums Manuel Osborne-Paradis and Broderick Thompson are set to race, while Benjamin Thomsen, Dustin Cook and Erik Guay are also on track to compete. It will be the final Canadian start for Guay, who is set to retire. The team is expected to be officially announced on Nov. 19.
The women's World Cup is currently scheduled for the following weekend, with a downhill on Dec. 1 and a super-G on Dec. 2.
For more information, visit lakelouiseworldcup.com.
CALGARIANS VOTE AGAINST GAMES
Calgarians have voted against hosting the Winter Olympic Games for a second time.
In a non-binding plebiscite on Nov. 13, 56.4 per cent of voters said no to continuing the bid process. While city council still must vote on whether to proceed, it seems unlikely, as provincial funding was contingent on a positive result.
Whistler Olympic Park was being considered to host the ski-jumping and Nordic combined events.
"I truly believe this was the best opportunity to unite our community around a new vision of hope, confidence and realize an extended legacy, inspired by the world's best winter athletes. Mostly though, it was about Calgary doing what we do best and that is pull together to achieve big dreams. So the key now is to take what we learned and keep asking that question: what is our next big dream, the next big project that will inspire us?" Calgary 2026 Bid Corporation board chair Scott Hutcheson said in a release.
Calgary's imminent withdrawal would leave two bids standing: Stockholm, Sweden and a joint venture from Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
KINGSBURY FEELING FITTER
Even though he's already smashed every conceivable men's moguls record, Canadian Mikaël Kingsbury feels he hasn't even reached his peak.
Kingsbury, who won the moguls and overall freestyle FIS Crystal Globes in addition to his Olympic gold medal last season, said a healthier diet has allowed him to make greater strides in the gym and on the mountain.
"That can make a difference sometimes in a World Cup when you arrive in the super-final," Kingsbury recently told the Canadian Press. "For your last run, you want to be on the top of your game. That's like a little bonus that I'm going to have maybe this year compared to the previous season.
"You always want to improve season after season. Sometimes, especially when you've reached all of your goals, you still want to dominate the sport. Those are the little things that can help you stay on top."
Kingsbury, who won 13 events in a row before taking a second in Mont Tremblant, Que. last season, hopes to debut a cork 1440 and become the first skier to land it in competition.
