Albrecht a step closer to racing for Bulgaria

By Published On: December 10th, 2006Comments Off on Albrecht a step closer to racing for Bulgaria

Austrian slalom skier Kilian Albrecht has taken Bulgarian citizenship to compete for the Balkan country in the World Cup and the 2007 World Championships, the Bulgarian ski federation said Saturday.


AUSTRIAN SLALOM SKIER Kilian Albrecht has taken Bulgarian citizenship to compete for the Balkan country in the World Cup and the 2007 World Championships, the Bulgarian ski federation said Saturday.

    "The procedure concerning the citizenship was completed," said vice-chairman Georgi Bobev. "He will arrive on Monday only to put a pencil on the documentation."
    Albrecht, who last competed in the World Cup for Austria in March, plans to make his debut for his adopted country in Alta Badia, Italy, next week.
    The 33-year-old finished fourth for Austria in the men's slalom at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and at his peak was a regular top-10 finisher on the World Cup. He did not compete in this year's Torino Games.
    "His presence will be a great addition to the Bulgarian team," said Bobev. "He has great experience and it will be priceless for our young skiers."
    The World Championships will be held in the Swedish ski resort of Are between Feb. 3 and 18.
    "I think Kilian made the right choice," said Bulgarian federation general secretary Pepa Mitseva. "Competing for Bulgaria will allow him to remain part of the world's elite.
    "The competition in the Austrian team is enormous and I really think he'll succeed in Bulgaria."
    Other high-profile Austrian-born skiers have turned their backs on their country in the past after falling out with the powerful Austrian federation or simply struggling to retain a place on the squad.
    Elfi Eder, the 1996 slalom World Cup champion and 1994 Olympic slalom silver medalist, left in 1997 to race for the Caribbean island of Grenada.   
    Josef Strobl, a seven-times winner on the World Cup tour, took Slovenian citizenship in 2004 but failed to make that country's team for the Torino Games.

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