Today’s race of the Snow Queen Trophy cancelled Vedran Pavlek: Skier safety was our priority, I am proud of yesterday’s race

5. January 2023.

Despite the efforts the organizers and employees of the Sljeme Ski Resort invested in preparing the Red Slope for the second race of the Audi FIS World Ski Cup “Snow Queen Trophy” in 2023, the race was cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Commenting on the reasons behind the cancellation of the race, FIS Women’s Chief Race Director, Peter Gerdol said: “In the last two weeks the weather did not help us, the temperatures did not drop below zero. We had a very good race yesterday, but unfortunately the wind and temperatures destroyed the last section of the course, and it was not possible to have a race in these conditions.” Gerdol noted that unfavourable weather conditions for World Cup are seen across Europe, Sljeme not being isolated case in this regard, saying “This year we have problems everywhere in Europe, we have the same issues everywhere and this is nothing specific to Sljeme. This is happening almost everywhere.”

“I am especially proud that we managed to deliver a very good race in impossible conditions yesterday. The whole of Central Europe has had warm weather for the last 15 days or so, the last night with a minus in Zagreb was December 19. What I was afraid of in the last few days was this very night from January 4 to 5. If it had been a clear night tonight, if it had been zero degrees or a few degrees above zero with clear weather, we would not have had a problem. The snow was affected by the south-west wind, it was not a clear night, and the course did not hold up. The problem was in the finish meadow, where we lost five to ten centimetres around three or four wickets,” said Vedran Pavlek, Director of the “Snow Queen Trophy” Organizing Committee, adding that the safety of the skiers was a priority, and no risks were acceptable in that regard. Speaking about the future of the race, Pavlek said “I believe that we have proven this year as well that even in impossible conditions we can deliver a very good race. Just look at the statement made by Mikaela Shiffrin about yesterday’s race, it speaks best as to what amazing job was done yesterday and for that I thank everyone who contributed.”

To the spectators who bought tickets for today’s race, a refund will be made in the amount of the price indicated on the ticket for the second race and under the conditions indicated on the back of the ticket, exclusively at the point of sale where the ticket was purchased, and on the condition that the ticket is returned within 15 days from January 5.