FIS ski cross race comes to Gudauri

A view of the route set up on slopes of Kudebi, which hosted the race seen as a demonstration of readiness of Georgian organisers for FIS-sanctioned events. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Over 60 athletes representing 13 countries brought their high-end gear and ability to the competition, Georgia’s main prospect David Tediashvili among them. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Friday’s opening programme was cancelled due to heavy fog, with participants having to bring their best game to the programme condensed to two days of the weekend. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

The Kudebi track is wrapped in a layer of fog in Gudauri. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Participants descend down a slope of Kudebi. The weather kept changing over the remaining days of the race. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Skiers travel on the cable car above the route set up by Thomas Guirlando, a French professional working on international-level venues for competitions. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Mikayla Martin of Canada and Youri Duplessis Kergomard of France claimed victories in women’s and men’s categories respectively. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

The former section saw Czech Republic’s Nikol Kucerova, Russia’s Ekaterina Maltseva and Zoe Chore of Canada fill the remaining podium places. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Tim Hronek of Germany, Tom Bonnefond of France and Gil Martin of Switzerland were the finishers among the men who claimed spots between second and fourth. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Participants competed not only for finishing positions but also for ranking points for the FIS World Championships. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

For Gudauri the race was the first FIS-sanctioned ski cross event. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Skiers photographed in action during the race on Kudebi. Those involved in the race had good impressions to share with local reporters about the level of organisation. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A staff member looks on as athletes navigate the route on Kudebi. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

The descent catches out two of the skiers during the ski cross event. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Participants congratulate each other after the conclusion of the FIS/Europa Cup event, with race organisers in the background. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Women's winner Mikayla Martin and second-place finisher Nikol Kucerova photographed after the race. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

The organisation of the race is seen as part of ongoing preparations for Georgia's hosting of the 2023 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championship . Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Georgian organisers accepted a commitment to host tournaments every year in the run-up to the big 2023 event. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.