So, I've heard that this was likely to happen, and was in the works. over the past couple of weeks, I've heard more, and Steve Porino mentioned it in his most recent Podcast. If you search deep into the FIS site, you can see the preliminary calendar for the upcoming seasons. I believe that the 2019-2020 calendar is up, and......there are no more alpine combined events on the schedule. I have NOT bothered to search for it. I actually think they may "kill" it before next year's FIS Worlds.
In addition to that, there are apparently five Parallel SL's on the calendar, and I believe that they are in addition to the City Events.
So, the thinking, evidently is that alpine combined is old, ancient, boring and in reality there are NO current WC skiers who are both at the top of the game in speed and SL. Think men, not MS. Because, right or wrong, these decisions are made thinking of the men. In Porino's broadcast he commented that he couldn't bring himself to watch a combined. There is basically one skier who should crush every one. Alexis Pinturault. The fact that guys like Svindal and Jansrud can contend or podium is sort of a joke in the opinion of many.
Meanwhile, Parallel SL, which is in no way SL, and the City events are very popular. And, there is a whole other group of skiers who are developing special skills. There is ski development going on. It could be that parallel might replace combined as a separate discipline, with a separate WC title.
More interesting conversation is that DH, other than the true Euro classics {and maybe BoP} is becoming too boring, too predictable, too "safe and gentle". And, the calendar is too long. 45 races or so, in total. So, what is being considered there/ Perhaps more two run "sprint" DH's. Perhaps some rethinking of where to run SG, versus DH, and a reduction in the number of speed events.
At any rate.........sounds like a lot of change on the horizon, or being contemplated.
At one point, I think there was conversation about doing away with SG, which was shot down quickly. Sounds like SG is immensely popular with the athletes, coaches, fans. It's my favorite.
I won't miss the combined, one bit. Not in this day and age.
Any thoughts, comments, ideas??
In addition to that, there are apparently five Parallel SL's on the calendar, and I believe that they are in addition to the City Events.
So, the thinking, evidently is that alpine combined is old, ancient, boring and in reality there are NO current WC skiers who are both at the top of the game in speed and SL. Think men, not MS. Because, right or wrong, these decisions are made thinking of the men. In Porino's broadcast he commented that he couldn't bring himself to watch a combined. There is basically one skier who should crush every one. Alexis Pinturault. The fact that guys like Svindal and Jansrud can contend or podium is sort of a joke in the opinion of many.
Meanwhile, Parallel SL, which is in no way SL, and the City events are very popular. And, there is a whole other group of skiers who are developing special skills. There is ski development going on. It could be that parallel might replace combined as a separate discipline, with a separate WC title.
More interesting conversation is that DH, other than the true Euro classics {and maybe BoP} is becoming too boring, too predictable, too "safe and gentle". And, the calendar is too long. 45 races or so, in total. So, what is being considered there/ Perhaps more two run "sprint" DH's. Perhaps some rethinking of where to run SG, versus DH, and a reduction in the number of speed events.
At any rate.........sounds like a lot of change on the horizon, or being contemplated.
At one point, I think there was conversation about doing away with SG, which was shot down quickly. Sounds like SG is immensely popular with the athletes, coaches, fans. It's my favorite.
I won't miss the combined, one bit. Not in this day and age.
Any thoughts, comments, ideas??