Preview: Saslong and St Moritz on tap

By Published On: December 13th, 2007Comments Off on Preview: Saslong and St Moritz on tap


There are plenty of reasons why the Val Gardena stop is among of the most popular among spectators. For one, it is relatively close to the southern Tyrol and Austria's fan base, as well as the fanatical fans in Slovenia, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It is in the Dolomites, a set of mountains widely regarded among the most spectacularly scenic in the world. And it is a forbidding course. The "Pista Saslong," was built to host the '70 World Championships and has been hosting World Cup races since 1969, and December downhills more or less continually since 1976. The course features one of the most famous set of jumps on the World Cup circuit, the Camel Bumps, as well as a huge, and fast, S turn out of the start and the Ciaslat, which can be translated to "washboard."

There are plenty of reasons why the Val Gardena stop is among of the most popular among spectators. For one, it is relatively close to the southern Tyrol and Austria's fan base, as well as the fanatical fans in Slovenia, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It is in the Dolomites, a set of mountains widely regarded among the most spectacularly scenic in the world. And it is a forbidding course. The "Pista Saslong," was built to host the '70 World Championships and has been hosting World Cup races since 1969, and December downhills more or less continually since 1976. The course features one of the most famous set of jumps on the World Cup circuit, the Camel Bumps, as well as a huge, and fast, S turn out of the start and the Ciaslat, which can be translated to "washboard."
    Michael Walchhofer won the first training run and Erik Guay the second, but training runs are one thing and racing day another. The defending champ is Steven Nyman, which is good for him as repeat winners are common. Franz Klammer won on the Saslong four times, as did Kristian Ghedina. Bernhard Russi won twice in the 70's. Peter Mueller won three moving the history into the 1980's and Franz Heinzer, Patrick Ortlieb and Antoine Deneriaz have all won twice since then.
    The course is picking up speed with the training runs and has a new feature. "There is a new jump at the Final Schuss," says Nyman. "And the last turn is narrower and steep. Fast skis will be key to place on the podium – as well as a good entry into Ciaslat. I will try to stick to my line and not lose speed."
    The hill will also host a super G, which was also won by an American last season – Bode Miller. Johan Grugger, absent to injury, won in 2005 and Walchhofer in 2004.
    But there is more. Also traditionally, the Italians will then host mid-week races at Alta Badia, one of the toughest GS hills anywhere. The Italian team has looked very strong in both GS and slalom this season (both being contested at Alta Badia) and the site has historically been kind to the hosts. Italians have won eight of 18 races, Alberto Tomba leading the way three times.
    Currently, Ted Ligety leads the GS standings with Daniel Albrecht in second and two Italians — Massimiliano Blardone and Manfred Moelgg — lurking. The slalom standings are led by Benjamin Raich with Moelgg and Swiss Marc Gini right behind.
    The women got moved from Val d'Isere when winds blew what snow had fallen off the upper reaches of the course. The downhill/super G races went to St Moritz, which was anxious to show off the new downhill course they hope to win the 2013 World Championship bid with. That won't happen.
    "It won't be much different than two or three years ago," says U.S. speed coach Alex Hoedlmoser. "It will be the same start as before. They wanted to go elsewhere but there is not enough snow." The course will change for the scheduled February races, but not so much for these.
    "The bottom is a little different, but it's very similar to what we had before," Hoedlmoser said.
    Conditions were a bit soft due to fresh snow, but the coach said he expected they would firm up after training use and added the forecast was promising for good racing, which he was looking forward to.
    "We're going to kick some ass," he predicted.
    The first training run was Swiss controlled with Sweden's Anja Paerson slipping in for second behind Nadia Styger and ahead of Sylvaine Berthod. Canadians sandwiched Lindsey Vonn in sixth place, Emily Brydon in front of her and Britt Janyk behind. Austrians have always fared well on this hill. Of the 10 women's downhills conducted, seven have gone to Austrians.


 

Training runs: Dec. 12 Val Gardena

Rank Bib FIS Code Name Year Nation Total Time FIS Points
 1  12  50041 WALCHHOFER Michael  1975  AUT   2:00.42  
 2  10  291641 SULZENBACHER Kurt  1976  ITA   2:01.75  
 3  5  533131 SULLIVAN Marco  1980  USA   2:02.04  
 4  4  191591 BERTRAND Yannick  1980  FRA   2:02.21  
 5  2  191740 CLAREY Johan  1981  FRA   2:02.26  
 6  16  510030 CUCHE Didier  1974  SUI   2:02.34  
 7  13  510767 HOFFMANN Ambrosi  1977  SUI   2:02.45  
 8  8  350032 BUECHEL Marco  1971  LIE   2:02.57  
 9  17  102263 GUAY Erik  1981  CAN   2:02.64  
 10  22  50695 BUDER Andreas  1979  AUT   2:02.65  
 11  7  191116 DALCIN Pierre-Emmanuel  1977  FRA   2:03.06  
 12  15  560332 JERMAN Andrej  1978  SLO   2:03.09  
 13  21  50451 GRUBER Christoph  1976  AUT   2:03.50  
 14  3  290998 STAUDACHER Patrick  1980  ITA   2:03.60  
 15  30  50753 KROELL Klaus  1980  AUT   2:03.71  
 16  36  501076 OLSSON Hans  1984  SWE   2:03.79  
 17  14  102271 HUDEC Jan  1981  CAN   2:03.88  
 18  19  533866 NYMAN Steven  1982  USA   2:03.95  
 19  25  510727 DEFAGO Didier  1977  SUI   2:04.00  
 19  9  102873 KUCERA John  1984  CAN   2:04.00  
 21  24  50423 MAIER Hermann  1972  AUT   2:04.12  
 21  1  510747 GRUENENFELDER Tobias  1977  SUI   2:04.12  
 23  38  561067 PERKO Rok  1985  SLO   2:04.19  
 24  11  532431 MILLER Bode  1977  USA   2:04.26  
 25  20  51005 SCHEIBER Mario  1983  AUT   2:04.28  
 26  29  532490 MACARTNEY Scott  1978  USA   2:04.40  
 27  43  191911 NOCENTI Cyril  1982  FRA   2:04.43  
 28  39  510165 HOFER Beni  1978  SUI   2:04.76  
 29  41  192932 FAYED Guillermo  1985  FRA   2:04.84  
 30  31  50858 STREITBERGER Georg  1981  AUT   2:04.96  
 31  28  292514 HEEL Werner  1982  ITA   2:04.98  
 32  6  191415 BOTTOLLIER-LASQUIN Marc  1979  FRA   2:05.02  
 33  23  102899 OSBORNE-PARADIS Manuel  1984  CAN   2:05.03  
 34  37  291399 GIRARDI Walter  1976  ITA   2:05.06  
 35  60  561006 GLEBOV Alek  1983  SLO   2:05.24  
 36  40  102814 BOURQUE Francois  1984  CAN   2:05.33  
 37  59  50742 REICHELT Hannes  1980  AUT   2:05.39  
 38  45  291389 FISCHNALLER Roland  1975  ITA   2:05.48  
 39  71  102961 DIXON Robbie  1985  CAN   2:05.54  
 40  18  292455 FILL Peter  1982  ITA   2:05.57  
 41  73  201987 STRODL Andreas  1987  GER   2:05.60  
 42  27  510890 ZURBRIGGEN Silvan  1981  SUI   2:05.61  
 43  51  292291 THANEI Stefan  1981  ITA   2:05.67  
 44  57  510207 HARI Konrad  1978  SUI   2:05.69  
 45  69  510307 BRAND Olivier  1980  SUI   2:05.72  
 46  47  510498 ZUEGER Cornel  1981  SUI   2:05.73  
 47  76  201811 STECHERT Tobias  1985  GER   2:05.79  
 48  46  40171 BRANCH Craig  1977  AUS   2:05.91  
 49  54  293006 INNERHOFER Christof  1984  ITA   2:06.04  
 50  49  50761 ALSTER Christoph  1980  AUT   2:06.07  
 51  34  51215 BAUMANN Romed  1986  AUT   2:06.09  
 52  50  193034 BOUILLOT Alexandre  1985  FRA   2:06.11  
 53  67  561085 KRIZAJ Andrej  1986  SLO   2:06.20  
 54  35  191964 POISSON David  1982  FRA   2:06.25  
 55  44  530939 WEIBRECHT Andrew  1986  USA   2:06.33  
 56  75  193212 DURAND Jeremie  1986  FRA   2:06.42  
 57  26  510993 ALBRECHT Daniel  1983  SUI   2:06.55  
 58  55  201439 STEHLE Johannes  1981  GER   2:06.60  
 59  32  560447 SPORN Andrej  1981  SLO   2:06.78  
 60  65  50975 FLASCHBERGER Christian  1983  AUT   2:06.85  
 61  72  192139 VIEUX Cyril  1983  FRA   2:07.00  
 62  52  293141 VARETTONI Silvano  1984  ITA   2:07.15  
 63  70  191755 GARNIER Thibault  1981  FRA   2:07.20  
 63  62  501026 RAINER Niklas  1983  SWE   2:07.20  
 65  42  201606 KEPPLER Stephan  1983  GER   2:07.21  
 66  77  193560 PASQUIER Alexandre  1987  FRA   2:07.30  
 67  63  292056 GUFLER Michael  1979  ITA   2:07.33  
 68  66  292150 HAPPACHER Alex  1979  ITA   2:07.38  
 69  48  510969 BONETTI Michael  1982  SUI   2:07.45  
 70  56  50919 STRUGER Peter  1982  AUT   2:07.53  
 71  61  201542 STRODL Peter  1982  GER   2:07.74  
 72  33  192746 THEAUX Adrien  1984  FRA   2:08.17  
 73  64  51232 HERZOG Mario  1986  AUT   2:08.42  
 74  74  501324 OLSSON Matts  1988  SWE   2:08.92  
 75  58  534567 LANNING Thomas (tj)  1984  USA   2:12.70  
 76  78  60159 VAN BUYNDER Frederik  1988  BEL   2:14.37  

 

 Training Run two, Dec. 13

Rank Bib FIS Code Name Year Nation Total Time FIS Points
 1  19  102263 GUAY Erik  1981  CAN   1:56.57  
 2  20  510030 CUCHE Didier  1974  SUI   1:57.29  
 3  18  50041 WALCHHOFER Michael  1975  AUT   1:57.44  
 3  16  532431 MILLER Bode  1977  USA   1:57.44  
 5  5  191740 CLAREY Johan  1981  FRA   1:57.75  
 6  22  560332 JERMAN Andrej  1978  SLO   1:57.80  
 7  25  291641 SULZENBACHER Kurt  1976  ITA   1:57.98  
 8  24  510727 DEFAGO Didier  1977  SUI   1:58.11  
 9  10  50423 MAIER Hermann  1972  AUT   1:58.19  
 10  13  50695 BUDER Andreas  1979  AUT   1:58.37  
 11  21  350032 BUECHEL Marco  1971  LIE   1:58.39  
 12  9  102873 KUCERA John  1984  CAN   1:58.47  
 13  23  533866 NYMAN Steven  1982  USA   1:58.54  
 14  3  191591 BERTRAND Yannick  1980  FRA   1:58.69  
 15  49  50761 ALSTER Christoph  1980  AUT   1:58.81  
 16  14  510767 HOFFMANN Ambrosi  1977  SUI   1:58.82  
 16  12  50451 GRUBER Christoph  1976  AUT   1:58.82  
 18  28  532490 MACARTNEY Scott  1978  USA   1:58.87  
 19  27  290998 STAUDACHER Patrick  1980  ITA   1:58.94  
 20  8  510890 ZURBRIGGEN Silvan  1981  SUI   1:59.01  
 21  36  501076 OLSSON Hans  1984  SWE   1:59.08  
 21  1  50753 KROELL Klaus  1980  AUT   1:59.08  
 23  29  191415 BOTTOLLIER-LASQUIN Marc  1979  FRA   1:59.25  
 23  26  292514 HEEL Werner  1982  ITA   1:59.25  
 25  15  51005 SCHEIBER Mario  1983  AUT   1:59.39  
 26  42  201606 KEPPLER Stephan  1983  GER   1:59.45  
 27  52  293141 VARETTONI Silvano  1984  ITA   1:59.50  
 28  11  102899 OSBORNE-PARADIS Manuel  1984  CAN   1:59.57  
 29  31  50858 STREITBERGER Georg  1981  AUT   1:59.58  
 30  39  510165 HOFER Beni  1978  SUI   1:59.63  
 31  38  561067 PERKO Rok  1985  SLO   1:59.69  
 32  17  292455 FILL Peter  1982  ITA   1:59.75  
 33  33  192746 THEAUX Adrien  1984  FRA   1:59.77  
 34  48  510969 BONETTI Michael  1982  SUI   1:59.78  
 35  7  510993 ALBRECHT Daniel  1983  SUI   1:59.83  
 36  35  191964 POISSON David  1982  FRA   1:59.91  
 37  69  191755 GARNIER Thibault  1981  FRA   1:59.98  
 37  45  291389 FISCHNALLER Roland  1975  ITA   1:59.98  
 39  58  534567 LANNING Thomas (tj)  1984  USA   1:59.99  
 40  55  201439 STEHLE Johannes  1981  GER   2:00.01  
 41  37  291399 GIRARDI Walter  1976  ITA   2:00.02  
 42  46  40171 BRANCH Craig  1977  AUS   2:00.03  
 43  59  50742 REICHELT Hannes  1980  AUT   2:00.05  
 44  57  510207 HARI Konrad  1978  SUI   2:00.06  
 45  72  201987 STRODL Andreas  1987  GER   2:00.08  
 46  47  510498 ZUEGER Cornel  1981  SUI   2:00.12  
 47  60  561006 GLEBOV Alek  1983  SLO   2:00.13  
 48  6  510747 GRUENENFELDER Tobias  1977  SUI   2:00.21  
 49  41  192932 FAYED Guillermo  1985  FRA   2:00.23  
 50  54  293006 INNERHOFER Christof  1984  ITA   2:00.35  
 51  63  51232 HERZOG Mario  1986  AUT   2:00.42  
 51  51  292291 THANEI Stefan  1981  ITA   2:00.42  
 53  43  191911 NOCENTI Cyril  1982  FRA   2:00.43  
 54  71  192139 VIEUX Cyril  1983  FRA   2:00.45  
 55  68  510307 BRAND Olivier  1980  SUI   2:00.47  
 56  70  102961 DIXON Robbie  1985  CAN   2:00.50  
 57  34  51215 BAUMANN Romed  1986  AUT   2:00.51  
 58  73  193212 DURAND Jeremie  1986  FRA   2:00.64  
 59  74  201811 STECHERT Tobias  1985  GER   2:00.67  
 60  66  561085 KRIZAJ Andrej  1986  SLO   2:00.71  
 61  53  150398 BANK Ondrej  1980  CZE   2:00.72  
 62  62  292056 GUFLER Michael  1979  ITA   2:00.77  
 63  32  560447 SPORN Andrej  1981  SLO   2:00.78  
 64  61  201542 STRODL Peter  1982  GER   2:00.91  
 65  56  50919 STRUGER Peter  1982  AUT   2:01.07  
 66  44  530939 WEIBRECHT Andrew  1986  USA   2:01.17  
 67  65  292150 HAPPACHER Alex  1979  ITA   2:01.52  
 68  2  533131 SULLIVAN Marco  1980  USA   2:01.95  
 69  64  50975 FLASCHBERGER Christian  1983  AUT   2:02.15  
 70  75  193560 PASQUIER Alexandre  1987  FRA   2:02.36  
 71  50  193034 BOUILLOT Alexandre  1985  FRA   2:03.45  
 72  76  60159 VAN BUYNDER Frederik  1988  BEL   2:07.12  

 


Women's Training run one St Moritz Dec. 13

Rank Bib FIS Code Name Year Nation Total Time FIS Points
 1  19  515170 STYGER Nadia  1978  SUI   1:41.77  
 2  17  505483 PAERSON Anja  1981  SWE   1:41.86  
 3  29  515409 BERTHOD Sylviane  1977  SUI   1:42.09  
 4  23  515573 AUFDENBLATTEN Fraenzi  1981  SUI   1:42.29  
 5  20  105997 BRYDON Emily  1980  CAN   1:42.46  
 6  16  537544 VONN Lindsey  1984  USA   1:42.48  
 7  18  106022 JANYK Britt  1980  CAN   1:42.74  
 8  2  515560 SCHILD Martina  1981  SUI   1:42.82  
 9  12  55069 GOETSCHL Renate  1975  AUT   1:43.04  
 10  5  55669 HOLAUS Maria  1983  AUT   1:43.28  
 11  13  106402 VANDERBEEK Kelly  1983  CAN   1:43.31  
 12  1  515429 DUMERMUTH Monika  1977  SUI   1:43.41  
 13  36  296427 SCHNARF Johanna  1984  ITA   1:43.49  
 13  8  55576 GOERGL Elisabeth  1981  AUT   1:43.49  
 15  3  515244 CASANOVA Carmen  1980  SUI   1:43.53  
 16  9  515747 GISIN Dominique  1985  SUI   1:43.66  
 17  33  295136 CECCARELLI Daniela  1975  ITA   1:43.79  
 18  15  537545 MANCUSO Julia  1984  USA   1:43.80  
 19  11  195671 JACQUEMOD Ingrid  1978  FRA   1:43.91  
 20  40  206175 STECHERT Gina  1987  GER   1:43.98  
 21  30  55588 RUMPFHUBER Ingrid  1981  AUT   1:44.04  
 21  27  515348 BORGHI Catherine  1976  SUI   1:44.04  
 23  35  55596 WILHELM Kathrin  1981  AUT   1:44.06  
 24  25  225206 ALCOTT Chemmy  1982  GBR   1:44.18  
 25  51  296763 HOFER Larissa  1986  ITA   1:44.21  
 25  48  196412 WEYRICH Clothilde  1985  FRA   1:44.21  
 27  37  565278 RABIC Urska  1985  SLO   1:44.35  
 27  31  55691 SPONRING Christine  1983  AUT   1:44.35  
 29  32  106465 LAWRENCE Sherry  1984  CAN   1:44.37  
 30  44  537565 KELLEHER Keely  1984  USA   1:44.44  
 31  24  505449 BENT Nike  1981  SWE   1:44.50  
 32  14  206001 RIESCH Maria  1984  GER   1:44.56  
 33  21  537582 COOK Stacey  1984  USA   1:44.61  
 34  26  296008 MERIGHETTI Daniela  1981  ITA   1:44.63  
 35  10  55590 SCHILD Marlies  1981  AUT   1:44.71  
 36  4  296472 FANCHINI Elena  1985  ITA   1:44.72  
 37  46  536884 LUDLOW Libby  1981  USA   1:44.73  
 38  7  55750 FISCHBACHER Andrea  1985  AUT   1:44.80  
 39  42  565261 ROBNIK Petra  1984  SLO   1:44.84  
 39  22  196460 MARCHAND-ARVIER Marie  1985  FRA   1:44.84  
 41  38  296473 SIORPAES Wendy  1985  ITA   1:44.87  
 42  47  255098 KRISTJANSDOTTIR Dagny L.  1980  ISL   1:44.89  
 43  50  296431 STUFFER Verena  1984  ITA   1:44.95  
 44  41  196573 REVILLET Aurelie  1986  FRA   1:45.16  
 45  45  505632 LINDELL-VIKARBY Jessica  1984  SWE   1:45.20  
 46  39  515692 GRAND Rabea  1984  SUI   1:45.30  
 47  53  505886 KLING Kajsa  1988  SWE   1:45.41  
 48  49  565243 MAZE Tina  1983  SLO   1:45.75  
 49  6  55690 HOSP Nicole  1983  AUT   1:45.76  
 50  43  375018 COLETTI Alexandra  1983  MON   1:45.80  
 51  34  537626 RICHARDSON Kaylin  1984  USA   1:46.07  
 52  55  515766 SUTER Fabienne  1985  SUI   1:48.29  

 

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About the Author: Pete Rugh