To pad out the North American season in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the FIS is likely to triple the number of events taking placing in Canada next winter.
In addition to the traditional Winterstart speed races at Lake Louise, Whistler and Panorama will likely be hosting events during the 2007-08 winter.
Although still to be confirmed by FIS, Alpine Canada says Panorama will likely host women’s giant slalom and slalom races on Nov. 17-18, 2007 and Whistler will host men’s super-G and giant slalom and women’s downhill and super combined events from Feb. 21 to 24 in 2008.
Panorama has not hosted a World Cup event in 15 years, while Whistler lost its early-season downhill and super G events in 1998 after the races were cancelled in three consecutive years because of bad weather.
“The proposed new races in Canada as we prepare for the 2010 Olympics are tremendous for ski racing and our athletes,” said Alpine Canada President Ken Read. “More of our athletes will be able to compete in their home country and these new races truly complement the Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart, Canada’s only World Cup venue since 1998. This will also give our officials and volunteers the kind of world-class training needed to prepare for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, which is really only three seasons away.”
