Worst-case scenario

Revolution in the Ski World Cup? Warning from Höfl-Riesch

Maria Höfl-Riesch talks about the planned ski revolution.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Norway is planning a revolution in the Ski World Cup. A plan that Germany's skiing legend Maria Höfl-Riesch welcomes, but she warns of a worst-case scenario.

Under the motto "Change the Course", the Norwegian ski association "Skiforbundet" and the auditing firm KPMG have developed a new concept with which they want to make skiing more sustainable overall and thus secure its future. According to the Norwegians, the World Cup is to be divided into four different blocks in future. These are based on the geographical location of the World Cup venues. The World Cup opener would no longer take place in Sölden, but in the USA at the end of November.

"Yes, it would certainly make sense to organize the calendar in such a way that some trips could be shortened or even avoided. This would not only serve sustainability, but would also be in the interests of the athletes in terms of regeneration times and training opportunities," Maria Höfl-Riesch told "Merkur.de". "In any case, all races in the USA should be contiguous so that you don't have to take two long flights with time changes, material transportation etc. Either at the beginning or end of the race. Either at the beginning or end of the season."

Maria Höfl-Riesch(Bild: GEPA pictures)

"It will always be a matter of luck"
 Nevertheless, the 39-year-old emphasizes: "When the better or safer snow conditions are will always be a matter of luck - both in the USA and in Europe." And there is a warning: "The disadvantage would be that in the event of a lack of snow in a certain region, many races would be at risk at once or would have to be postponed or canceled."