While the NCAA struggles with allowing college athletes (read: “amateur”) to accept pay for play, the honchos of collegiate sports might be advised to take a closer look at the ski world which ended that debate for their sport nearly a half century ago.
That decision is magnified and will be on full display Feb. 7-8 when the newly rejuvenated World Pro Ski Tour tosses out a $50,000-plus prize purse in a “made-for-TV” COVID winter event on Steamboat’s Howelsen Hill, the city-owned ski area that has been in continuous operation for more than a century.
The racing schedule for the “City of Steamboat Springs Carnival Cup” begins Saturday (after COVID-19 screenings each morning). Qualifying rounds begin at noon, followed by the Carnival Cup Round of 32 at 2:30 p.m. The Round of 16 to the finals is under the lights at 6 p.m. followed by an awards ceremony and fireworks.
