We are only days away from the start of two more FIS World Cup series.
Wisla (POL) is set for the opening event of the new men’s FIS Ski Jumping World Cup season presented by Viessmann which includes 18 stops with 31 competitions. The Organisers recently installed a new ice-track and with interest in the event extremely high, both the team event on 18thNovember and the individual competition on 19th November were sold out three weeks ago.
New this season
This winter, all competitors will have to go through the qualification round in order to qualify for the competition. Previously, the Top 10 of the overall FIS World Cup standings were pre-qualified for the first competition round.
Fans will also be provided with greater insight into what happens around the World Cup tours. They can look forward to Behind the Scenes video coverage from a number of stops, starting in Ruka (FIN).
Favourites
Last season’s Top 10 could all walk away with the first win of the season, including the recent Grand Prix Champion Dawid Kubacki (POL). In the team event, Poland, Austria, Norway and Germany have good chances to make the podium.
Injured athletes
Due to pre-season injuries, some of the sport’s stars are missing the season opener, including Gregor Schlierenzauer (AUT), who recently suffered a knee injury and Kenneth Gangnes (NOR) and Severin Freund (GER), who both suffered a torn ACL and will miss the entire Olympic season.
Click here for the 2017/18 calendar.
Ski Big Air ready to fly in Milan
Following last weekend’s thrilling snowboard events, the ‘Big Air and the City’ festival continues this weekend in Milan (ITA), as the 2017/18 big air FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup season for the world’s best freeskiers gets underway.
Training in Milan begins on Friday, 17th November, immediately followed by a performance from hit-making Italian artist Baby K. Saturday’s big air World Cup competition will begin with qualifications in the morning, followed by the finals under the lights.
Favourites
The starting field is looking strong with the likes of Giula Tanno (SUI), Johanne Killi (NOR) and Coline Ballet Baz (FRA) ready to drop in on the 40metre high ramp. Host Italys' greatest hope lies with Silvia Bertagna, who aims to improve her fourth place from 2016 in front of her home crowd.
In the men’s event, Elias Ambuehl, Andri Ragettli (both SUI), Oystein Braaten, Felix Stridsberg-Usterud (both NOR) and Noah Wallace (USA) are looking to compete for top spots.
To check out the next stops on the 2017/18 Ski Big Air tour, click here.
Source: fis-ski.com
