Women’s Circuit in Linz, the return of closed doors in the face of the most urgent Covid-19 virus

After the entire winter of 2020/2021 without an audience, skaters were thrilled to have spectators return to the access areas this season. But two months after the start of the seasonal party on Austria’s Rettenbach glacier, the camera will once again be testing the ski country in Tyrol (south).

The Austrian Federation (ÖSV) announced the measure for the Linz stage, as well as events scheduled for January in Flachau and Zauchensee (alpine skiing), Innsbruck and Bischofshofen (jumping, Tour de Quatre Tremblins) and Bad Gastein (snowboard).

“We are aware of our responsibility” as the country gradually eases restrictions imposed since the end of November to deal with the infectious variant Omicron, said Federation President Roswitha Stadlooper.

ÖSV currently maintains an audience presence in Kitzbühel (January 21-23), the country’s main sporting event where tens of thousands of fans usually go.

In addition, several cases of Covid-19 have been announced during the World Cup, the last two cases so far involving International Skating Federation (FIS) staff and in particular Women’s Racing Director Peter Gerdol, who have tested positive after the Courchevel giants. last week.

Swiss star Lara Gut Bahrami, who has already missed two stages in France (Val d’Isère and Courchevel) due to the virus, is still “unconfirmed” according to Swiss-Ski.

New Zealander Alice Robinson has announced that she has come out of isolation with a negative test and will therefore make a giant comeback, while Austrian slalom world champion Katharina Lensberger, announced last week, remains uncertain.

American Michaela Shiffrin, the last winner of the Linz in 2019 (giant and slalom), has a great opportunity to increase her lead in the general classification. She is currently 115 points higher than Italian speed specialist Sofia Goggia.