Welcome to our skiing blog, with updates and news for winter holidaymakers and snowsports lovers!
Sunday (17th March) the FIS World Cup Finals came to a close in Grandvalira after an exciting week which attracted around 25,000 spectators in total. This was the first time Andorra has hosted this prestigious event, which is considered by many to be the most important competition on the pro-ski tour after the Olympic Games and World Championships.
This month sees the return of World Cup ski racing to Grandvalira, showcasing the superb world-class facilities on offer. Not only will we get to see top class racing but also a range of events surrounding the racing, making it an ideal time to experience the hospitality of Andorra. The racing is Women’s Super-G and Slalom, both of which are very technical and a great spectacle to watch. Here is the timetable for the weekend: (more…)
Following the very successful hosting of European and World Cup ski racing events in Soldeu for the past two years, Soldeu has been chosen to host the European Cup Finals in March 2014!
This fantastic achievement has been made possible due to the impressive work being done to continually improve the slopes of Grandvalira, now with FIS approved slopes in both Soldeu and El Tarter, as well as the excellent planning and delivery of previous events.
Hosting the finals week in 2014 is another step towards the future ambitions of Grandvalira who are aiming to host more World Cup racing in the coming seasons. (more…)
Due to the successful organisation and execution of the men’s European Cup ski racing held in Soldeu earlier this month, the International Ski Federation (FIS) have announced that Soldeu is a firm candidate to host the European Cup finals in 2014.
As well as the Avet slope in Soldeu, Grandvalira are working hard to ensure the Aliga slope in El Tarter attains FIS approval for competitions which should be accomplished over the summer.
There was praise for the course from Race Director, Jordi Pujol, who said “the slope was spectacular, easily World Cup standard, and it held up perfectly all weekend, without the need for water injection. Both the skiers and the experts tell me that Avet is a difficult World Cup slope, and is not a European Cup course”.
The decision will be made in May 2013, so we hope Soldeu is successful!
This weekend has seen the men’s European Cup Giant Slalom ski racing come to Soldeu for the first time, following on from the successful women’s World and European Cup events held last winter. The racing has been held over two days which saw beautiful weather and perfect snow conditions.
The racing was held on the Avet slope which decends from next to the Soldeu chair lift and follows the gondola back down to the village affording some spectacular views from the village including from the terraces of Sol i Neu restaurant and the Sport Village hotel. Conditions were fantastic for the skiers and the winner, Luca de Aliprandini of Italy, described the Avet slope as “demanding” with a “highly technical layout”.
Something creating huge discussion in the world of skiing is Lindsay Vonn and her request to race against men in the Lake Louise round of the World Cup, however unfortunately today the International Ski Federation (FIS) have ruled that she can’t take part in the men’s race.
She has been dominating women’s skiing for the past few years and wanted the chance to show that it is possible for women to compete against their male counterparts, and although she didn’t expect to win she was hopeful of a top 30 placement. The main reason for her wanting to compete was to raise awareness of ski racing, particularly female ski racing, by generating media and public interest in a showpiece event.
Whilst she has definitely got people talking within the skiing community it is a shame that the FIS haven’t allowed it to go ahead as it would have been very interesting to see if she raised her game yet again. It is hoped that at some point in the not too distant future the FIS may re-consider their stance, but in the meantime we can look forward to her racing on the women’s circuit.
