Sölden aims to open the World Cup season with four races

The idea of making the World Cup calendar more balanced is currently being discussed both within FIS and among the athletes themselves. One possible solution could be an expanded programme for the opening event of the season in Sölden (Austria).

The organisers of the Austrian event are proposing to hold not two, but four races in October. They want to add two super-Gs to the two traditional giant slaloms. Such a format would allow alpine skiers specialising in the speed disciplines to start the season at the same time as the “technical” specialists — athletes competing in giant slalom and slalom.

At present, the speed specialists have to wait considerably longer for the season to begin. The first super-G of the season is scheduled for the end of November in Copper Mountain, while the first downhill will take place in early December in Beaver Creek. As a result, athletes from different specialisms begin their World Cup campaigns at different times.

Philipp Falkner, manager of Bergbahnen Sölden — the company that operates the resort’s cable cars — said that Sölden had already proved it was ready to host an additional programme: “We have fully demonstrated that we are ready for this.” In his view, the weather risks in October are not particularly great and should not pose a threat to the races going ahead.

Next year, the start of the season will also be moved back by one week, to the end of October. The two giant slaloms in Sölden are scheduled for 30 and 31 October 2027.

The expanded programme has not yet received final approval: the final decision rests with FIS. At the same time, the federation is seriously considering the proposal, FIS president Alexander Ospelt confirmed.

Photo: press service of the Sölden World Cup event
12:40 30.10.26