FIS Has 'No Doubt' Olympic Venue Can Host Test Event In 2018

The Int'l Ski Federation (FIS) has “no doubt” that the downhill venue for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics will be ready in time to host a test event in February "despite massive construction delays," according to the AP. FIS said Friday that "the Austrian manufacturer who is building the gondola lift will meet a Jan. 10 deadline, four weeks before two men’s World Cup races are scheduled for the Jeongseon ski resort." A snow-making system "also still needs to be completed." FIS General Secretary Sarah Lewis said, “We will be there in February.” Lewis added that manufacturer Doppelmayr had promised to “send an extra team” to speed up the construction of the lift. FIS Men’s Race Dir Markus Waldner said, “We have no doubt but we know there are delays. We push the organizers. On paper it works, in reality we’ll see.” The resort is "set to host a men's downhill on Feb. 6, followed by a super-G the next day." The women's World Cup "travels to Jeongseon for two speed events" in March '17 (AP, 10/23).