The US Ski and Snowboard Federation (USSA) submits an official application for the first time at the FIS autumn meeting in Zurich, which is supposed to enable Lindsey Vonn to participate in a men’s World Cup downhill race.A launch in Lake Louise in November 2018 is envisaged – a unique event.Vonn will probably not be able to compete in the following women’s races in Canada.
The motion highlights the American’s previous achievements in skiing and makes concrete proposals for scenarios on how Vonn could compete with the men without having to change the World Cup rules.USSA also emphasizes that the American is the most successful female racer of all time with 77 world cup victories.And that a contest between one of the world’s most famous sportswomen and the best men would help ski racing to attract unprecedented attention.
Together with the Canadian Ski Federation, the organising committee of Lake Louise and right-holder Infront, it is therefore believed that Vonn should be given the “unique opportunity” to participate in the men’s downhill of Lake Louise in November 2018, the proposal states.
It is proposed to send Vonn with starting number 21 into the race.This has the least effect on the men’s starting order.Although vonn is to be listed in the official result lists, he is not to receive World Cup points.The American player’s appearance is also not supposed to influence the men’s points.
The proposal is submitted to the Executive Board of the Alpine Committee, which is chaired by Bernhard Russi.ÖSV sports director Hans Pum is working for Austria.The Austrian Alpine Chief Patrick Riml, who is named as contact person in the US application, is also a member of the committee.
According to World Cup Racing Director Markus Waldner, however, there will be a counterproposal in Zurich.To send Vonn as the last forerunner in front of the runner with the starting number 1 into the race and to publish her time as an exception.This would allow all the rules for organising a men’s race to remain in place.
But one consequence would be a participation in the men’s downhill for Vonn.Afterwards, she would probably not be able to participate in the following women’s World Cup races in Lake Louise and would have to do without competing on the track on which she celebrated the most (18) victories.According to the regulations, for fairness reasons you are not allowed to train on this track five days before a race.Training is considered part of the race in the Ski World Cup.