Sölden has named American ski-racing great Lindsey Vonn as a competitor in the opening World Cup ski race of the 24-25 campaign on Saturday, 26th October.
There had been rumours of a return to racing for Vonn, who turns 40 today and had a total knee replacement earlier this year, five years after her retirement in 2019 and from Sölden’s media release it appears to be happening a week on Saturday.
Vonn
Another racing great, Austria’s Marcel Hirscher, is also back after a five-year absence, also returning from retirement and now racing for his mother’s homeland, The Netherlands, in the men’s first race the following day, Sunday 27th.
And Norway’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who retired aged just 23 a year ago, is also returning to racing, also switching to his mother’s nation, in his case Brazil.
Solden
The steep GS race slope on Sölden’s Rettenbach Glacier has been the given the green for next weekend by the International Ski Federation (FIS) during the formal snow inspection on 17 October.
“All signs are therefore pointing to a fabulous start to the Alpine Ski World Cup season with tens of thousands of fans, exciting races and brilliant comebacks,” Sölden’s media release states,
A great variety of international languages can currently be heard in the glacier ski area. In addition to the presence of professionals from major ski nations such as Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France, Norway and the USA, even athletes from Brazil, Albania and Argentina are there.
“The current training conditions are really excellent. The athletes also confirm this,” explains Slope Director Isidor Grüner. After the official “go” given by the International Ski Federation (FIS) as part of the snow inspection, Sölden’s OC team is very much looking forward to a sporty and exciting start to the new World Cup season for both athletes and fans.
Fans in resort can enjoy a varied side and entertainment program with Fan Club Parade, bib draw, parties with DJs and live music on the glacier and in the valley at Giggijoch Gondola base station.
World Cup Opening Sölden
Friday, 25.10.24
from 17.00 World Cup Party & drawing of Women’s bib numbers – Giggijoch Gondola car park
Saturday, 26.10.24
10.00 – 1st run: Women’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
13.00 – 2nd run: Women’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
followed by presentation of winners & Glacier Party
from 17.00 – World Cup Party, Fan Club Parade, prize giving ceremony and drawing of Men’s bib numbers – Giggijoch Gondola car park
Sunday, 27.10.24
10.00 – 1st run: Men’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
13.00 – 2nd run: Men’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
followed by Men’s award ceremony and prize giving & Glacier Party