COVID-19 Causing More Local, National, & International Competition Cancellations
Locally
Part competition, part skier party, the Ski The East Backyard Bash was set to bring a wicked good time to Bolton Valley, Vermont this weekend. However, it was announced this afternoon, March 12, that the event has been canceled due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. Ski The East took to social media to let the people know that this Saturday's event has been canceled and to express their reasons for the decision.
We regret to say that the Ski The East Backyard Bash at Bolton Valley for this upcoming Saturday has been cancelled. We cannot, in good conscious, encourage hundreds of people to get together in close quarters when we're being told to do the exact opposite. #SkiTheEast pic.twitter.com/laTWFCehER— SKI THE EAST (@SKITHEEAST) March 12, 2020
Nationally
After having to announce the decision to cancel one of the final Cross Country World Cup races this morning, U.S. Ski & Snowboard has made the choice to cancel all remaining domestic events.
The choice was made due to the recently enacted European travel restrictions and the ongoing concerns in the United States and Canada regarding the spread of the coronavirus.
"U.S. Ski & Snowboard is also canceling all sanctioned and scheduled events beginning Monday, March 16. This includes all club-level events for all disciplines and any unnecessary gatherings, including banquets, awards, and end of season presentations, etc. Expect further updates on future events, including U.S. Ski & Snowboard Congress." - U.S. Ski & Snowboard News Release
- Coop FIS Cross Country World Cup, Minneapolis, Minn.; March 17
- Moguls U.S. Freestyle National Championships, Squaw Valley, Calif.; March 19-22
- NASTAR National Championships, Snowmass, Colo.; March 24-28
- U.S. Alpine Tech Championships, Aspen Highlands, Colo.; Mar. 28-31
- SuperTour Finals, at Sovereign Lake Nordic Ski Club in Vernon, B.C.; March 25-April 2
- NorAm Alpine Finals, Panorama, B.C.; March 17-24
- U.S. Freestyle Aerial Championships, Bristol Mountain, NY; March 14
- U.S. Junior Cross Country Championships, Auburn, Calif.; through March 14
Currently, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is working to bring back all of the American athletes that are still abroad. In addition, Alpine Canada and Nordiq Canada have canceled events to coincide with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard cancellation.
Internationally
The International Ski Federation is also continuing to cancel events around the world.
This morning it was reported that the Coop FIS Cross Country World Cup event in Minneapolis was to be canceled, though the Canadian event in Québec this coming weekend was going to go ahead as scheduled, followed by the finals at Canmore, Canada. However, it has been decided this afternoon, again due to travel restrictions and concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, that the Canmore Coop FIS Cross Country World Cup finals are canceled. The Québec event will now serve as the finals for the season.
In other FIS disciplines, all remaining Men's and Women's Ski Jumping events, set to take place in Norway and Russia, have been canceled, as well as the FIS Freestyle Ski Moguls World Cup finals that were to be held in Fjall, Sweden.
Though not canceled, the FIS Ski Flying World Championship set to take place in Planica, Slovenia has been pushed back to the 2020/2021 season. The new date will be confirmed together with the FIS Council, following discussions between the LOC, FIS including the Ski Jumping Committee and the Media and Commercial Rights Holders.
The list of cancellations could continue to grow in the coming days. It could be safe to assume that the competitive winter sports season has come to an end due to the outbreak.
Thumbnail Credit: Image by Annick Vanblaere from Pixabay
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