Alpine World Cup Season Opens in Soelden; Weather Causes Cancellation

Alpine Ski Season Opens

The International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Ski World Cup season began this past weekend at the traditional opening site of Soelden, Austria.

Soelden has opened the series since 1993.

On Saturday, the women’s competed in giant slalom on the Rettenbach Glacier with 2010 Olympic champion, Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany attaining her first career World Cup victory defeating teammate Kathrin Hoelzl.

"I wanted to prove that my Olympic success was no fluke," said Rebensburg, 21. "So this one means a lot."

Sunday’s men’s giant slalom had to be cancelled as a thick blanket of fog moved across and remained over the course in the afternoon hours.

Although the first run went off without problems at 10:00 AM, the afternoon fog and poor visibility caused the scheduled 1:00 PM start time of the second run to be delayed in 15 and 30-minute increments.

With the latest possible start being 2:45pm, partly due to a television window, FIS organizers announced the official cancellation of the second run shortly before then, and ultimately the entire race, due to the lack of visibility and safety concerns.

The Soelden race will not be re-scheduled. The season continues in Levi, Finland on November 13-14 with both the men and women competing in slalom.

FIS Forum Alpinum

Friday’s FIS Forum Alpinum entailed a series of quick question and answer sessions conducted on stage with various personnel from the International Ski Federation.

The annual event designed for journalists concluded with last season’s overall World Cup champions Carlo Janka and Lindsey Vonn also appearing and fielding questions.

FIS president Gian Franco Kasper began by mentioning that 6400 events sanctioned by the federation will occur over the next three-and-a-half months. He also spoke of his recent inspection visit to Sochi, the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, and the five potential new Olympic events proposed to the IOC.

"It is the largest construction project in the world, or at least in Europe, but they still need 2200 hotel rooms," said Kasper about preparations for the 2014 Olympics.

In regards to next January’s first-ever Winter Youth Olympic Games, he addressed concerns that the inaugural event occurs partly over the same weekend as the Hahnenkamm World Cup races in Kitzbuehel, Austria, traditionally one of the most highly attended events on the calendar.

Kasper said that this year the Hahnenkamm press dinner will strategically take place in Innsbruck, the same evening in which the Youth Olympic Games night slalom is being held. The two locations are 50 miles apart.

The FIS President also spoke of the five events – womens’ ski jumping, skiing halfpipe, skiing & snowboard slopestyle, and the alpine team event – which are still awaiting confirmation by the IOC for inclusion into the Sochi program.

"That’s a difficult question," said Kasper when queried about whether all five events will also be approved. "I want to be honest. I have my doubts."

Following Kasper was 1972 Olympic downhill champion Bernhard Russi, who was recently appointed Chairman of the FIS Alpine Committee, a working group comprised of six members from bothsport and science, focusing on the impact of equipment on the safety of ski racing.

"To makeit clear, we are not closing our eyes. It’s a major issue on a daily basis," said Russi regarding safety in the sport. "FIS on one side is a traditional organization, but on the other a very fast acting group."

Men’s and women’s race directors, Guenter Hujara and Atle Skaardal also answered questions posed.

Skaardal noted that TV ratings for the ladies have continued to grow. "I can guarantee you that you will see a lot of racing on the ladies side with interesting races every week," said the former Norwegian downhiller. "That is what we’re working for."

Hujara, who is in his 20th season with the FIS, discussed the busy winter schedule, February’s World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and a unique parallel slalom event that will take place on Sunday, January 2nd in Munich’s Olympic Park.

"A city event gives great value to our circuit, but mostly the athletes," said Hujara. "They are treated like rock stars in these cities. We need to promote them and we have togo where the people are and that’s in the cities."

Janka Receives "Golden Skier" Award

At the Milka press conference, Switzerland’s Carlo Janka was presented with the Serge Lang Trophy awarded to the 2010 "Golden Skier" of the year as chosen by the International Association of Ski Journalists (AIJS).

Last season’s overall World Cup champion and Olympic giant slalom gold medalist, received the honor not only for his racing success, but also for demonstrating class and character towards the international media.

The 24-year-old Swiss is the 34th recipient of the award since its inception back in 1963. Last year’s winner was Lindsey Vonn.

Pre-race Press Conferences

Prior to the weekend races, it was a busy few days of press conferences as numerous international journalists arrived for the season debut.

On Thursday, ski and boot manufacturer Head, FIS title sponsor Audi, and Kraft Foods brand and milk chocolate producer Milka, all held press conferences.

Friday, Rossignol/Dynastar skis, Salomon equipment, and clothing manufacturer Schöffel did the same.

The most highly attended of the press conferences was the one held by Head at Soelden’s Freizeit Arena, which also housed the main press center.

Available to the media were Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal, Kjetil Jansrud and Ted Ligety of the United States, the latest racers to change to Head skis. The trio joins fellow prominent Head skiers Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn, Maria Riesch, Didier Cuche and Anja Paerson, all of whom were present. The Austrian ski brand has established itself as the leader on tour over the past few seasons.

Miller Announces Agreement with Soelden

On Saturday, between runs of the ladies giant slalom, it was announced that Bode Miller has signed a new headgear contract with Soelden. He will also serve as ski ambassador to promote youth racing.

"I ski because I love to, I’m active and I like to have a good time," said Miller. "I think these are the things that Soelden stands for and it’s the perfect place to live my lifestyle."

Miller, who previously raced with sponsor Superfund emblazoned on his helmet won races in Soelden in 2003 and 2004.

Written in Soelden by Brian Pinelli.