The 43rd International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine World Ski Championships are returning to the United States of America for the 4th time in history beginning on February 2. The Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts have been selected to host this most prestigious skiing competition for the third time (also hosted in 1989 & 1999). The only other time the event took place stateside was during the 1950 edition.
The grand opening ceremony will commence at 7 p.m. local time on the 2nd of February from the Championships Plaza at Solaris in Vail Village with Downhill Training for the women to be held earlier in the day at Raptor Racecourse to unofficially kick things off.
On the following day, competitive action gets underway with the Ladies’ Super-G. A cross between Downhill and Giant Slalom, Super-G is a one-run event like the Downhill, but with more frequent turns, like the Giant Slalom. However unlike the Downhill, there are no prior training runs for the Super-G. The most notable female skiers to watch in this event include Tiger Woods’ girlfriend and world record holder for most victories, Lindsey Vonn of the United States, and Lara Gut of Switzerland.
The oddsmakers at sportsbook「bet-at-home」are almost in complete agreement placing favorable odds on both Lindsey Vonn and Lara Gut to finish on the podium once all is said and done.
【Women’s Super-G 1-3 Podium Finisher Odds】
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 30, 10:00 a.m. (GMT)
The 4th of February brings action into full swing with the Men’s Super-G at the Birds of Prey Racecourse. Thus far the「bet-at-home」linesmakers haven’t been kind to American Ted Ligety placing him at 20.00 to win it all even with the crowd on his side. As the heavy favorite, can Kjetil Jansrud of Norway prevail or will the pressure get to him?
【Men’s Super-G Winner Odds】
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 30, 10:00 a.m. (GMT)
With no competitive events on the docket for Thursday, February 5th, it will be a practice day in the Downhill for both the men and women. While a quiet one on the slopes, the fans will be entertained offsite with a number of live performances and other events including the Sierra Nevada Winter Beer Camp.
On Friday, nestled inside of Red Tail Finish Stadium, the Raptor Racecourse will play host to the Ladies’ Downhill race. Without a doubt the most exciting event in alpine ski racing, Downhill skiers attempt to be the fastest one down the slopes through a minimum number of control gates. Speeds in Downhill often exceed 80 mph on major courses and require a hill with at least a 750 meter vertical drop. Skiers to watch in the Ladies’ Downhill race are Anna Fenninger of Austria, Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein, and Lindsey Vonn.
【Women’s Downhill 1-3 Podium Finisher Odds】
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 30, 10:00 a.m. (GMT)
Kicking off the weekend’s first prime event is none other than the Men’s Downhill on Saturday, February 6th. A look at the odds show a familiar face with Kjetil Jansrud of Norway once again heavily favorited to come away with gold. Can Italian Dominik Paris give Jansrud a run for his money?
【Men’s Downhill Winner Odds】
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 30, 10:00 a.m. (GMT)
To cap off the first week of competition, Sunday brings the Men’s Alpine Combined Downhill to the limelight at the Birds of Prey Racecourse followed by the Men’s Alpine Combined Slalom later in the afternoon. For the Combined runs, look for Alexis Pinturault of France and Sandro Viletta of Switzerland to make an impact on the slopes.
And for the ladies, the start of week #2 has all the spectators’ eyes on them as the Ladies’ Alpine Combined Downhill and Slalom events commence. In the running for medals will be a familiar face in Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. and Tina Maze of Slovenia.
To mix things up a bit, Tuesday, February 10th, pits the national teams, comprising of two men and two women each, competing in a head-to-head race. A unique event, skill alone will not net a medal. At this competition, teamwork will play a major factor in which country is to be represented on the podium at the event’s conclusion.
The second Wednesday of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships is all about charity and honoring the past as the first skiing event of the day will be the Korbel Charity Cup at Golden Peak Stadium. This event will consist of 20 teams with 5 racers on each team, one of which is a skiing legend.
The other skiing event scheduled for the day is the Korbel Legends Race that will pit the heroes of days past against each other in a head-to-head competition to prove that they still have the skills to command attention on the slopes.
Following the day of charity, February 12th will bring the Ladies’ Giant Slalom to center stage at the Raptor Racecourse of Red Tail Finish Stadium. The race will be staged in two runs, with the total time of each run added together to determine the final finish order. The skier to watch in the most-twisty race known to (wo)man is hometown favorite Mikaela Shiffrin.
【Women’s Giant Slalom 1-3 Podium Finisher Odds】
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 30, 10:00 a.m. (GMT)
On Friday the 13th, the men get their shot at the Giant Slalom that will commence at the Birds of Prey Racecourse beginning from 10:15 a.m. According to the early lines of「bet-at-home」, it is looking like it will be a duel between the likes of Ted Ligety of the U.S. and Marcel Hirscher of Austria.
【Men’s Giant Slalom Winner Odds】
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 30, 10:00 a.m. (GMT)
Valentine’s Day fittingly sees the ladies gearing up and battling it out on the slopes for their true love, the Slalom Run at the Raptor Racecourse. Skiers to watch in the Ladies’ Slalom Run include Mikaela Shiffrin of the U.S. and Frida Hansdotter of Sweden.
【Women’s Slalom 1-3 Podium Finisher Odds】
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 30, 10:00 a.m. (GMT)
And to bring the two week competitive festivities to a close, the final day of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships has the men taking to the powder for the Men’s Slalom Run at the Birds of Prey Racecourse.
【Men’s Slalom Winner Odds】
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 30, 10:00 a.m. (GMT)
After an intense two weeks on the mountains in Colorado, which of the men will lay claim to the last gold medal of the 43rd edition of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships?
