PARK CITY, UT (Oct. 1, 2015) – World Cup ski racing may be coming back to New England in 2016. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, along with its resort partner Powdr, Corp., is proposing an Audi FIS Ski World Cup at Killington, VT this week during meetings of the International Ski Federation (FIS) in Zurich. The submission comes after years of work by the USSA to find an opportunity to bring World Cup ski racing to the most populated region of the country.
The proposed November, 2016 World Cup would include women’s giant slalom and slalom races. Among the athletes could be U.S. Ski Team superstars Julia Mancuso, Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn. If accepted by FIS, the dates would be Nov. 26-27, 2016, Thanksgiving Weekend. The race would fill the weekend traditionally hosted in Aspen during the season in which the Colorado resort is holding the World Cup Finals in March, 2017.
In a final site inspection Sept. 23, FIS Women’s World Cup Tour Director Atle Skaardal visited Killington and gave a positive report, which encouraged the USSA to move forward in the process. The bid will be submitted to FIS at its fall meetings in Zurich that run through Saturday. It is anticipated that the bid will then be put onto the draft 2016-17 World Cup calendar that will be finalized next June.
It would be the first World Cup in the eastern USA since 1991 when the U.S. Ski Team’s Julie Parisien won the giant slalom at Waterville Valley, NH.
Mikaela Shiffrin (pictured here racing at the 2015 World Champs) is expected to race at the proposed World Cup at Killington. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Alexis Boichard)
“An eastern World Cup will have great impact on our sport by bringing the best ski racers in the world close to our largest population of USSA members and fans,” said USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “Powdr, Corp. has always been a strong partner for the USSA and we have confidence that Killington is well suited to produce an exceptional early season World Cup.”
The USSA has had a long relationship with Powdr, Corp. producing World Cup and Grand Prix events at Copper Mountain and Park City Mountain Resort. Killington has been a strong venue in alpine ski racing as a regular host to FIS Cup and USSA races.
“Killington is one of the premier resorts in the country and close to major eastern metropolitan markets,” said Powdr CEO John Cumming. “Powdr has produced World Cup events in the past at other resorts in our portfolio and has significant experience executing large-scale races such as the Audi FIS Ski World Cup.”
As a FIS World Cup, the event would be broadcast worldwide to over 60 nations, along with national broadcast coverage across America. The event is anticipated to bring significant economic impact to the state of Vermont, which other U.S. World Cups have seen extend to $15-20 million.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, and its resort partner Powdr, Corp., are submitting a bid to the International Ski Federation for an Audi FIS Ski World Cup at Killington, VT in November, 2016.
- It would be the first World Cup in the eastern USA since 1991 at Waterville Valley, NH.
- It is anticipated that FIS will put the Killington event on its 2016-17 World Cup calendar during meetings in Zurich, Switzerland this week.
- The event would be televised globally including national broadcast across America.
- Follow updates on the World Cup at Killington using the hashtag #beastworldcup.
QUOTES
Tiger Shaw, President and CEO, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association
An eastern World Cup will have great impact on our sport by bringing the best ski racers in the world close to our largest population of USSA members and fans. Powdr, Corp. has always been a strong partner for the USSA and we have confidence that Killington is well suited to produce an exceptional early season World Cup.
Calum Clark, Vice President, Events, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association
It’s been a key initiative for the USSA to find a calendar window with FIS to bring alpine ski racing to the east. Our partnership with Powdr and the early snowmaking capability of Killington were crucial to working with FIS to get onto the World Cup calendar.
John Cumming, CEO, Powdr, Corp.
Killington is one of the premier resorts in the country and close to major eastern metropolitan markets. Powdr has produced World Cup events in the past at other resorts in our portfolio and has significant experience executing large-scale races such as the Audi FIS Ski World Cup. Powdr Corp is honored to be involved in the selection process of Killington for the women’s World Cup and we look forward to welcoming the world to Vermont in 2016 and the first appearance of a World Cup Race to the East Coast in 25 years.
Mike Solimano, President and General Manager, Killington
Killington is an ideal venue for World Cup skiing’s return to the East Coast, and to be considered for this event is a tremendous honor and opportunity for Killington and the surrounding community. We plan to hold the race on our Superstar trail, located adjacent to the K-1 Express Gondola and base area. Snowmaking infrastructure on this trail received significant upgrades this summer, and this November race will allow us to showcase our world-class snowmaking system. Killington is thrilled to represent the entire state of Vermont to the international ski market.
About the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association/U.S. Ski Team
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association is the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding in America, and responsible for scheduling of World Cup competitions with the International Ski Federation. The U.S. Ski Team, as part of the USSA, develops and maintains teams of world-class athletes for national and international competition, including the Olympic Winter Games. For more information, visit www.usskiteam.com.
About Killington
Killington Resort is a four season destination sitting on 3,000 acres in the heart of Central Vermont’s Green Mountain. The Resort boasts 92 miles of diverse snow sports terrain spread out over six peaks including Pico Mountain served by the most expansive lift network and snowmaking system in the East. After the snow melts, Killington features an 18-hole championship golf course as well as 35 miles of mountain biking trails and 15 miles of hiking trails. The seemingly infinite après, dining, and lodging options have made Killington a world-class destination for East Coast skiers and riders for 55 years. Visit www.killington.com for more information and join the conversation on social media with #beastwinter.
