2008 FIS masters World Cup opens in Chile

Ninety-seven racers from 12 nations gathered on the slopes of La Parva and Valle Nevado, Chile, from Sept. 15-19 for the opening of the 2008 masters World Cup season. Thirty-two U.S. masters, led by 2007 World Cup champions Anne Nordhoy and Dennis Wilhelmsen, got a jump on the FIS season. The masters World Cup starts in South America followed by a full schedule in Europe, a North American stop March 6-9 at Mount Norquay, Canada, and back to Europe for the masters World Championships April 1-5 in Austria.
NINETY-SEVEN RACERS from 12 nations gathered on the slopes of La Parva and Valle Nevado, Chile, from Sept. 15-19 for the opening of the 2008 masters World Cup season. Thirty-two U.S. masters, led by 2007 World Cup champions Anne Nordhoy and Dennis Wilhelmsen, got a jump on the FIS season. The masters World Cup starts in South America followed by a full schedule in Europe, a North American stop March 6-9 at Mount Norquay, Canada, and back to Europe for the masters World Championships April 1-5 in Austria.
    This year, the U.S. contingent returned with overweight baggage loaded with medals. A premium snow year down south drew the largest group of U.S. racers to ever compete outside of North America. Also billed as the South American Championships, racers competed in one super G, two GS races and one slalom over a five-day period. Only the GS and slalom at Valle Nevado counted for World Cup points. Chilean organizers drew on U.S. coach Chad Wolk of the Park City Ski Education team, to set most courses and referee the events, while Nate Schwing, Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation coach, set slalom and foreran all events.
    For complete results, go to www.fis-ski.com and click Masters Results.

Some outstanding results of note:
Anne Nordhoy: Seeking a third straight World Cup title in class 65-69, she checked off two World Cup wins and finished with a couple of top-three finishes for overall women.
Dennis Wilhelmsen: Two wins in class for Cup races and overall fastest for GS and SL at Valle Nevado.
Bob Andree: Was on fire, won class 55-59 in all events and had top-five overall finishes in overall, all events.
Erik Klemme: In hot pursuit of Wilhelmsen class 45-49, super G overall win and two seconds in Cup events.
Keith Thompson: Played second fiddle to archrival Gianfredo Puca of Italy for both Cup races.
Tom Hauck: Surprised the field in La Parva, taking second in deep (11 racers) 65-69 age class, third in Cup GS.
Tom Kronthaler: Had the podium second step to Andree, which he did in GS and super G.
Gary Konsza: Knows super G, second in class, same as his finish in the U.S. nationals at Big Sky.
Peggy Konsza: Overcame knee issues to win Cup GS and slalom in class.
James Ragan: Second and a third in Cup races, second overall Group B slalom.
Harold Kaufmann: Came back with strong second run of slalom to take gold from Mario LaPucci of Italy, who had been up all week.
Skinner brothers: Coached camp and led by example, traded 1-2 in GS and slalom in Cup events.