The International Ski Federation has tabled a formal proposal by the U.S. Ski Team to give Vail’s Lindsey Vonn an opportunity to compete in a race against men, but U.S. officials say they found willingness within the FIS to consider the matter.
At a FIS meeting Tuesday night in Switzerland, the alpine executive board reviewed the U.S. proposal and tabled it because the proposed race would take place during the 2018-19 season. The FIS will confirm that schedule next spring.
“There is support for the proposal among members of the executive board, but also many points to clarify with FIS,” said U.S. alpine director Patrick Riml. “We’re encouraged by the discussion and the fact that we now have a formal proposal in front of FIS which we can review with FIS in more detail during the season ahead.”
The ski team is proposing a one-time exception to allow Vonn to race against men, most likely at Canada’s Lake Louise because the men and women compete there annually on successive weekends.
Lake Louise also is a place where she has been almost unbeatable, claiming 18 of her record 77 World Cup victories there.
