![A set of ski tracks winds its way through the light snow in Central Park, New York City. USSA withdrew its application for a World Cup in the park in 2016 on June 4th at the 2014 FIS Congress in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo: Nat Hertz)](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2011/11/NatHerz.jpg")
When the International Ski Federation (FIS) Congress began Sunday in Barcelona, Spain, there was a lot to go over. Not only was the international-racing circuit speculated to come back to North America in the 2015/2016 season, but there was also talk of a World Cup being held in Central Park, New York City.
New York City?
While New York City did, in fact, apply to host the World Cup, the final verdict was one of disappointment. On Wednesday, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA) withdrew its application for a World Cup in the Big Apple.
According to Chris Grover, U.S. Ski Team head coach and chairman of the FIS Cross-Country Sub-Committee for World and Continental cups, there were a variety of reasons that led to USSA’s decision to withdraw its application.
“There was not one single factor that influenced the decision but a range of elements including an unresolved forecasted deficit and the impact of the event being hosted in late February vs. late January,” Grover wrote in an email from Barcelona.
Despite the withdrawal, there still may be hope for an NYC World Cup in the future.
“USSA is still very motivated to make this project a reality sometime in the future and we will continue to work with the FIS Cross-Country committee to potentially make it a reality,” said Grover.
Lander Karath
Lander Karath is FasterSkier's Associate Editor from Bozeman, Montana and a Bridger Ski Foundation alumnus. Between his studies at Middlebury College in Vermont, he is an outdoor enthusiast and a political junkie.
3 comments
bill0215
June 5, 2014 at 1:55 pm
Forget Central park. We have a better site in Brooklyn, Prospect Park. Exel sponsored several roller ski races in our park in the ’80s. Lack of snow was no problem!
Bill Henry – Paralympian ’84,’88
TooHeavy
June 6, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Kind of stupid to even entertain the thought of a ski race in NY NY. They just don’t have the weather . Even on snow gun snow it would be a gamble..
zetop
June 6, 2014 at 4:35 pm
well that’s too bad. A few US stops would have been a great complement to the Canadian tour (to be confirmed). Having a “North American Tour de ski” would provide a wonderful opportunity for both national teams …