{"id":6576,"date":"2021-08-27T09:03:15","date_gmt":"2021-08-27T15:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcworldcup.com\/?p=6576"},"modified":"2021-08-27T11:14:05","modified_gmt":"2021-08-27T17:14:05","slug":"2021-xfinity-birds-of-prey-is-a-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bcworldcup.com\/2021-xfinity-birds-of-prey-is-a-go\/","title":{"rendered":"2021 Xfinity Birds of Prey is a “GO”"},"content":{"rendered":"
Beaver Creek, Colo., Aug. 27, 2021 \u2014 If ski racing fans are feeling the need for speed, they will get a triple-dose of it when the Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup returns to Beaver Creek Resort Dec. 3-5.<\/p>\n
The nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation, which hosts the Xfinity Birds of Prey races each year, confirmed the men\u2019s Beaver Creek World Cup schedule as follows:<\/p>\n
Friday, Dec. 3:<\/strong> Super-G \nSaturday, Dec. 4:<\/strong> Downhill \nSunday, Dec. 5:<\/strong> Super-G \n*The men\u2019s World Cup calendar has not yet been fully confirmed. The FIS will confirm in September. Beaver Creek race times TBD.<\/em><\/p>\n
All events will be streamed and broadcast live on the networks of NBC Sports.<\/p>\n
The races are part of a return of the North American leg of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup tour, including:<\/p>\n
Nov. 27-28: HomeLight Killington Cup, USA, Women\u2019s Slalom and Giant Slalom \nNov. 27-28: Lake Louise, Canada, Men\u2019s Downhill and Super-G \nDec. 3-5: Lake Louise, Canada, Women\u2019s Downhill and Super-G<\/p>\n
\u2018Back at one of the best courses in the world\u2019<\/strong><\/h5>\nRyan Cochran-Siegle (USA) oncourse at the 2019 Xfinity Birds of Prey. Photo by Alexis Boichard\/Agence Zoom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA)<\/strong> is one of many racers excited to return to the Birds of Prey course at Beaver Creek Resort, which is known world-wide for its steep pitch, high speeds, and demanding turns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t wait to be back at one of the best courses in the world, here on home soil,\u201d said Cochran-Siegle, who was ranked third-overall in the world in downhill before he was sidelined by an injury sustained at the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuehel, Austria, in January for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. \u201cI have this date circled on my calendar. We all love Birds of Prey. It\u2019s everything from the track to the people to the volunteers to the general environment and history of U.S. Ski Team success at Beaver Creek that make this return to home soil something all of us are highly anticipating.\u201d<\/p>\n
The weekend of racing marks a major milestone on the way to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games Feb. 4-20, 2022, in Beijing, and serves as a qualifying event for athletes to earn points and placements toward their nomination to the 2022 U.S. Olympic Ski Team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could not be more thrilled to once again welcome the world back to the iconic Birds of Prey course here in Beaver Creek,\u201d said Mike Imhof, President of the Vail Valley Foundation.<\/p>\n
Athletes to watch<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\u201cBeaver Creek Resort is proud to host Birds of Prey, and we\u2019re excited to showcase our world-class steep terrain and unrivalled hospitality,\u201d Beaver Creek Resort COO Nadia Guerriero said. \u201cThis is an extraordinary opportunity for our resort and community to welcome some of the world\u2019s best athletes on their journey to the 2022 Winter Olympics.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Xfinity Birds of Prey \u2013 and the entire North American leg of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup tour \u2013 was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In years past, the weekend in Beaver Creek has typically featured a giant slalom race on Sunday, but this year\u2019s Audi FIS Ski World Cup calendar is designed to minimize potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus by reducing the participants on site. Therefore, speed and tech event groups are being mixed as little as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the nearly two years since the first appearance of the virus, we\u2019ve had time to develop sound procedures and protocols,\u201d Imhof said. \u201cWe are working closely with the FIS, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort, Eagle County Public Health and all our other wonderful partners to ensure that we can host these beloved races and that athletics, fans, partners, media and volunteers can all enjoy and attend the event in as safe and comfortable a manner as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Beers of Prey\u2019 on tap<\/strong><\/h5>\n
The Vail Valley Foundation said it is planning music, giveaways, sponsor activations, \u201cBirds of Prey Way\u201d in Beaver Creek Village, and a wide array of celebratory ancillary events, including the highly-popular \u201cBeers of Prey\u201d tasting event, throughout race weekend. Details will be announced this autumn.<\/p>\n
Health and safety policies will be in place<\/strong><\/h5>\n
With some international travel restrictions still in effect, Beaver Creek and The Vail Valley Foundation continue to work with all appropriate parties ahead of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup. The health and safety of guests, staff and athletes is a top priority, organizers said, and as the ski racing community returns to hosting international events, heightened health and safety protocols will be in place, as needed, during the Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup. Event protocols will comply with local health and safety measures, as well as those mandated by FIS, and may be modified based on evolving standards, public health, and governmental directives.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bcworldcup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/COCHRAN-SEIGLE-Ryan-USA-oncourse.jpg\")