Up to 180 athletes are currently training at
The conditions and terrain at Panorama Mountain Village are seen as perfect for pre-season race training by international team coaches as the weather from mid-October is ideal for high-volume snowmaking and machine-made snow is actually preferred for race training, as it produces conditions that match those the athletes will ski during the World Cup.
Continue reading ‘International race teams training at Panorama’
Archive for the '2008-2009 Ski Racing News' Category
“I’m really psyched about it. It was a solid weekend. I was just off the podium on both days, but considering I was on crutches just a few days ago, it’s a good weekend,”
said Vonn, who suffered a bone bruise in her left knee while training for the World Cup.
“I had a pretty conservative first run because my knee wasn’t feeling that hot after the warm up. Second run it was feeling better and I just tried to go as fast as I could, but I just couldn’t make up the time difference. I’m happy with fourth.
“It’s a better feeling than some other races I won,”
he said. “Now I can enjoy it much more.
When the 53rd edition of the “Critérium de la Première Neige” rolls into Val d’Isère next month and officially launches winter, many officials will be looking to see how their master plan comes together ahead of the World Championships planned at the resort next year.
This will be the final test event prior to the 2009 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, a warm up event for this Savoyard village on the eve of a great skiing extravaganza.
On December 12th, Val d’Isère will officially start the season with the “Critérium de la Première Neige” once again. The race has been run in Val d’Isère since 1955 and became an official FIS World Cup event in 1967/68.
Even though the traditionally sporting aspect of the event remains unchanged, the race route has been completely changed.
Traditionally organized on the slopes of La Daille, the World Cup is to be run this year on the Bellevarde “Face”. The “slope of our era” offers an ideal exposure and breathtakingly steep slopes. 90% of the slope is visible from the Finish Area.
The 2009 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships are to be held on this very same slope so the organizers are hoping to use this event as a final trial run prior to the February event.
Many aspects of the event will be put to the test such as the preparation of the slope, the smooth running of the races, the positioning of the various enclosures (Finish Area, media and athletes’ zones, official guests and VIP galleries) as well as the new traffic and parking plan.
Volunteer training and management, the accreditation process, telecommunications, the press and media unit as well as the WIFI service will also play an important role in this trial run: an impressive challenge for the Organising Committee.
www.valdisere2009.org
Forty of the world’s best skiers and snowboarders will descend on Squaw Valley USA this winter, where for the first time ever they’ll compete on a legendary section of the mountain during the Freeride World Tour Event: Nissan Tram Face, anticipated to take place February 28th, 2009.
The Freeride World Tour event at Squaw Valley USA, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, will help set a new standard for freeride competition, attracting some of the best in the sport. The Tour promises to be demanding for participants and exciting for spectators when for the first time the legendary Tram Face, closed since Squaw Valley opened in 1949, will be open for the pro event.
The Tram Face at Squaw Valley is legendary terrain that many have dreamed to ride but few have dared to,” said longtime Squaw Valley USA skier Cody Townsend, ranked 5th in the 2008 World Freeride Tour.
Having the first ever competition on Tram Face is like the first time Monaco was raced in Formula 1, Teahupoo was surfed and the Masters was played at Augusta. Opening up the off-limits terrain for the competition is a dream come true for anyone that’s driven into Squaw Valley and seen the amazing Face that dominates the mountain.”
Participants arrive at Squaw on February 26, opening ceremonies take place on Friday, February 27 and competition is scheduled for Saturday, February 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed to an alternate date between February 28 and March 5. Spectators can enjoy the festive atmosphere with live music and ongoing events at The Village at Squaw Valley plus another village at Squaw Valley’s High Camp.
Riders participating in the Squaw event, which is the second leg of the Freeride World Tour, will arrive in California after showing their stuff in Sochi, Russia. After Squaw, the riders will travel to Tignes, France and Verbier, Switzerland. After this final event, the four Freeride World Champions (ski/snowboard/men/women) will be crowned.
More than 100,000 applications to attend the 2009 Alpine World Ski Championships in Val d’Isere in February have been received by the event organisers.
Spectators will be able to attend the Championships, which are to take place in Val d’Isère between the 2nd and 15th of February, completely free of charge.
Continue reading ‘Over 100 000 sign up for 2009 world ski championships’