Jeongseon Alpine Centre

Jeongseon Alpine Centre (정선 알파인 경기장) is an alpine skiing area in South Korea. It is located on the slopes of the mountain of Gariwangsan, in Bukpyeong-myeon in the county of Jeongseon.

Jeongseon Alpine Centre
Jeongseon Alpine Centre
Location in South Korea
LocationGariwangsan (mountain), Bukpyeong-myeon, Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Coordinates37.474°N 128.610°E / 37.474; 128.610
Vertical   825 m (2,707 ft)
Top elevation1,370 m (4,495 ft)
Base elevation   545 m (1,788 ft)
Longest runMen's downhill
2.85 km (1.77 mi)
Snowmakingyes

Overview

Jeongseon was a venue for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, hosting the alpine speed events of Downhill, Super-G, and Combined. It accommodated 6,000 spectators. The technical events of slalom and giant slalom were scheduled for Yongpyong Resort in the county of Pyeongchang.

The capacity of the venue was 6,500 (3,600 Seats / 2,900 Standing).[1]

The men's downhill starts at an elevation of 1,370 m (4,495 ft), with a course length of 2.857 km (1.775 mi), to a finish area at 545 m (1,788 ft).[2] The vertical drop of 825 m (2,707 ft) surpasses the minimum drop of 800 m (2,625 ft) required by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The women's downhill has a length of 2.388 km (1.484 mi) and a vertical drop of 748 m (2,450 ft). In the initial plan, the men's course was projected to start at another Jung-bong (peak) area, an elevation of 1,430 m (4,690 ft), but was integrated with the women's course starting at lower Ha-bong area, with some environmental criticism and protests.[3]

The venue Gariwang mountain is one of the most remote areas in South Korea.

The centre officially opened in 2016 on January 22, two weeks prior to its first events, men's World Cup speed events.[4] The downhill on February 6 was won by Kjetil Jansrud of Norway with a time of 1:41.38,[2][5][6] and the super-G the next day was won by Carlo Janka of Switzerland.[7][8]

The women tested the Olympic venue in 2017 with two World Cup speed events in early March. Both races had the same podium finishers with Sofia Goggia of Italy in first, Lindsey Vonn of the United States in second, and Ilka Štuhec of Slovenia in third.[9]

Ecological Issues

Environmental groups have raised concerns surrounding the deforestation from the slopes of Gariwang mountain to build the Jeongseon Alpine Centre. Officials claim it is necessary as it is the only slope that will accommodate Olympic requirements and the forest will be restored after the games are done. Environmental groups are skeptical as the forest includes old growth of ancient and rare species.[10]

A nearby stream was diverted into a reservoir at the base of the ski runs.[11] The reservoir supplies water used to create artificial snow for the ski runs.[11]

References
  1. "Jeongseon Alpine Centre : PyeongChang 2018 Venue". Archived from the original on 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  2. "World Cup: 8th men's downhill" (PDF). Jeongseon, Korea: International Ski Federation. February 6, 2016.
  3. KOC chief vows successful Games - The Korea Herald 2011-07-26 by Oh Kyu-wook
  4. Higgins, Sean (June 9, 2015). "Men's Alpine World Cup 2015-16 calendar confirmed". Ski Racing. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  5. "Jansrud takes first ever KOR downhill". International Ski Federation. February 6, 2016. Archived from the original on February 9, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  6. Higgins, Sean (February 6, 2016). "Jansrud asserts dominance in Jeongseon downhill". SkiRacing.com.
  7. "World Cup: 5th men's super G" (PDF). Jeongseon, Korea: International Ski Federation. February 7, 2016.
  8. Higgins, Sean (February 7, 2016). "Carlo Janka wins tricky Jeongseon super G". SkiRacing.com.
  9. Hall, Gabbi (March 4, 2017). "Goggia, Vonn, and Stuhec return to podium in Jeongseon". Ski Racing. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  10. "Olympics: Olympic organisers destroy 'sacred' South Korean forest to create ski run". The Guardian. 3 January 2018.
  11. Swain, Diana (23 February 2018). "Pyeongchang's most controversial venue: A cautionary tale for future Olympic Games". CBC News. Retrieved 23 February 2018.


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