Crans-Montana, controversy on and off the track: "Let’s draw a veil"

The controversy over Friday morning’s downhill at Crans-Montana, which was interrupted for safety reasons by the FIS after six athletes, three of them (Nina Ortlieb, Marte Monsen and Lindsey Vonn) victims of nasty falls, departed. Under indictment was the conformation of the downhill, deemed too dangerous even in light of the weather and visibility conditions, for a race that came just one week before the start of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

There was no shortage of fierce criticism from industry insiders over a controversy that, among other things, related not only to the race itself but also to the context that failed to fulfill the promise of sobriety made on the eve of the event. Sabrina Grandolfi, who follows the World Cup races for Rai from the studio, didn&#8217t mince words on social media: “How on earth do you put a downhill race (especially one like that) a week before the Olympics? Watch out for Lindsey Vonn’s condition, and let’s draw a veil over the blaring music in the stands area not even a month after the Constellation tragedy. No comment”. Grandolfi, in the same post, applauded instead Peter Gerdol, race director of the women’s circuit, who made the decision not to continue downhill after the third fall.

Francesco Lucivero

“The Republic” which had a correspondent in the Canton Valais resort, had reported in this regard that many companies linked to the promotion of the World Cup event had not heeded the international federation’s call banning sponsor-related side events. At the arrival, in fact, gazebos, promotional flags, free gadgets, music and product sales were seen. All decidedly far from what was desired to honor the victims of the New Year’s Eve tragedy.

Returning to the downhill race that was started and then cancelled, Lindsey Vonn entrusted her words to her social profiles after the bad fall and the worrying blow to her knee just days before the Olympic event: “It is very difficult, especially a week before the Olympics… but if there is one thing I know how to do, it is to come back stronger” she wrote.

“My Olympic dream is not over – added the American athlete’Thank you for all the support, I will give you more information as soon as I have some more certainty. I also want to thank all the medical staff who helped me today. I&#8217m really grateful for the incredible care I received. I also send a hug to Marte Monsen, who fell and injured herself”.