The International Ski Federation (FIS) is pleased to confirm that the Audi FIS Ski World Cup ladies‘ and men's slalom competitions that had to be cancelled at Levi (FIN) on 12th-13th November 2011 will be rescheduled in Flachau (AUT) on 20th-21st December 2011. The ladies' slalom will take place on Tuesday 20th December with the first run starting at 15:30 CET and the second run at 18:30 CET. The men's slalom will be held on Wednesday 21st December at the same time (15:30 CET / 18:30 CET).

Flachau has carried out successful ladies' FIS World Cup night slaloms during the last two seasons, in January 2010 and 2011, with great atmosphere and enthusiastic crowds. The last men's Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom event in Flachau took place in December 2004. Flachau also hosted the technical events for the FIS Junior Alpine World Ski Championships in 2007.



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APA. The Board of the International Ski Federation (FIS) has at its autumn session on Monday confirmed in Schladming from the 2012/13 season the current changes in the materials sector. Suggestions for minor changes relating to the ski width in the front area, the state level in downhill and Super-G and the minimum length of the ski in the women's downhill will still be checked.

In World Cup ski races in the future an athlete representative from the Top 15 will have direct contact with the jury to deposit proposals and demands.

Were also approved the schedule of the Alpine World Ski Championships (Schladming) and Nordic (Fiemme) in 2013. However, the decision is still open whether the slalom in Schladming can be discharged as a flood light contests. Fix at the Nordic Championships is the introduction of a mixed-competition in ski jumping (two ladies and gentlemen) of the normal hill. The team competition in the Nordic combined is 2013 in the form of a team sprint scene.

The reactions in Austria on the two slaloms in Flachau

The canceled in Levi slalom for men and women will be rescheduled before Christmas in Flachau. In Austria, one is delighted.

women boss Herbert Mandl: "The race is very convenient for us and we look forward to Flachau, just because the place was not in the World Cup calendar year came to the train. Before the Christmas holidays, there is enough space, time is no problem for us. Physical fitness, I do not see any difficulty in three races in four days to go. Training we would have anyway. For the audience is definitely a good time, as will be the home fans, many tourists in Austria, the race can not miss ", the ladies head coach. Michaela Kirchgasser: "I think it's really awesome yet another home race have. It's a real home race for me. The decision was a nice surprise. The race had already been well attended. The timing is ideal. As a veritable deluge of fans coming will be expected. It says any athlete, when the crowds waiting at the finish ", the local hero rejoices in the supplement to slalom in Salzburg Pongau. male boss Mathias Berthold: "I am glad we have another race in Austria. Flachau has proven itself in recent years as an organizer. " Mario Matt: "It's perfectly natural for us. To contest a race before home fans is always something special. Maybe I can make an early Christmas. " ÖSV director Hans Pum: "Thank God we have in Austria very much and Flachau good organizer is just predestined for the event."

Inglin "fled" to Canada - Janka goes to the doctor


mra. Far and wide no snow in sight. Osi Inglin head coach prepares the "escape" to Canada!

On Tuesday Inglin rises in the plane. Full of hopes. For out of Nakiska (Olympic Site 198 a lot of snow is reported. If he finds that the individual World Cup training groups traveling on 10 and 13 November following. "It looks very good," said Inglin. This week, the training operation is still on the snow. The number comes in handy. Carlo Janka had to cancel on Friday in Sölden the Super-G training for re-occurring back pain after two runs. He can now team doctor Christian Schlegel investigate further. Viletta Sandro also had to cancel the sailing in Sölden on Friday - even when he came forward again, the persistent back pain. Inglin: "But by then he was very fast, which is the best of it." It is not only the World Cup, which in Europe is no snow for the race, but also the European Cup failed to start. The races in Reiteralm from early November have now been postponed to late November time.

Possible that next week a short slalom FIS is organized on the Diavolezza. That would almost be a World Cup worthy cast - where else are the stars start then?

The Swiss women to fly in different groups between the 9th and 11 November for once not to Canada, but as in previous years for training in Colorado. There are then held in Aspen for the next World Cup race.

Photo Keystone

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Raich will fly with ÖSV-speed group overseas


APA. For ski-men begin on Friday the overseas tour. The ÖSV-speed group is flying from Innsbruck and Salzburg via Frankfurt to Denver, Colorado will be trained for a week from Sunday in Vail and Copper Mountain. Benjamin Raich is on board, who after his torn ACL suffered in February, also in the faster Super G and downhill a comeback in his sights.

"I'm certainly not afraid or blockade, when I think of a departure," said Raich, who in the first race of the season giant slalom in Sölden-19. was. Getting the speed season in Lake Louise, where on 26 and 27 November, a downhill and a super-G will be played. Raich will compete in Lake Louise downhill training at the least, and then decide on a race start. On 2 and 3 Beaver Creek in December followed by a further speed "twin".

In addition to breaking with Downhill racers Raich, Hannes Reichelt, Stephan Görgl, Matthias Mayer and Bernhard Graf on Friday in Colorado. The giant slaloms like Marcel Hirscher or Philip Schörghofer fly on 21 November to Denver and work out of 23 to 30 November in Vail. On 4 December is in Beaver Creek World Cup points.

Due to the cancellation of the Levi-longer-unemployed slalom specialists like Mario Matt, Manfred Pranger and Reinfried Herbst will initially remain in Europe and train others in Mölltal, as well as in the Stubai Valley in Diavolezza / Switzerland. Then it goes well for the slalom aces on 21 November for nine days after overseas where the others start at the NorAm races in Loveland 26th and 27 November on the program.

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Val d'Isere: ten more days until the deadline


Face de Bellevarde: A band for the first snowmaking race of men has been laid.
Length as the dry weather still annoys the ski fans in Europe? By early December are announced no further precipitation. Not even in Val d'Isere, where on 10 and 11 December, a mammoth program will be crammed: Super Combined and Super-G women's and men's giant slalom and slalom. The snow-inspector of the FIS is announced at the end of November. So in ten days. What happens then to the slopes on Solaise (women) and Face de Bellevarde (men), ie, where the 2009 World Cup was staged? Temporarily run the guns. But whether that's enough? Especially on the "Face", which requires a lot of snow, to prepare a race course.


Snow deposits on the slopes Oreiller-Killy - just in case.
The French have been the last resort in the hindquarters: In the old runway Oreiller-Killy in La Daille are already built up snow deposits. For all cases. Whether in the worst case, however, women and men their race on the same day and deliver on the same slope is difficult.

Bode Miller wins in Copper - Romed Baumann second twice
In preparation for the speed race of the coming weekend in Lake Louise (Downhill, Super-G) were held in Copper Mountain two FIS Super G with a strong cast of the USA, Canada and Austria. The first race was won by Bode Miller before Romed Baumann , the second had the amino Thomas Biesemeyer in the lead, finished second again Romed Baumann , coinciding with Stephan Görgl . Bode Miller finished fourth. Since the Swiss not in Colorado, but in the Canadian province of Alberta train (Nakiska), were not at the start.

First results Super-G Results 2 Super-G

Big win for mum Schleper
Mommy of a son, 32 years old, but still not a bit tired: The American Sarah Schleper won in Copper Mountain a FIS giant slalom. Third was Resi Stiegler , who hopes to finally be once again a long time without injury. Schleper will start this winter and again in the World Cup. results


Aspen is ready for the women's race
After the men's speed races in Lake Louise (Ka) is now also the giant slalom and slalom are the women of 26-27. November in Aspen (USA) secured. Because it was cold enough in early November, a lot of snow could be produced. Some snow storms have also helped to support, prepare the slopes of "Ruthie's Run" so good that nations be allowed to train already present this weekend at the race slope. For the last Swiss to win this slope caused by the way the retired Nadia Styger in December 2005 in a super-G. Recent victory in a Swiss giant slalom in Aspen goes back to the year 1976, when Lise-Marie Morerod was the fastest.

Berthod and Schmidiger fly to the U.S.
World Cup bets are for Reto Schmidiger and Marc Berthod (picture) in the U.S., provided none. Nevertheless, the two fly from the World Cup group 4 in the States. They deny two slaloms (Loveland) and two giant slaloms (Aspen) in the NorAm series.

Sun to train the Canadians in downhill Colorado


Christof Innerhofer has a headache
After his crash ( ) is Christof Innerhofer it quickly back on his feet and was able to fly on Monday with the Italian team to Canada. The headaches after concussion have subsided but not yet. The South Tyrolean hopes that he up to the Lake Louise downhill training (from 23 November) is symptom free.

Berthold second season as a ski before Lord Chief


APA. After many months of preparation for the alpine speed masters of the 2011/12 FIS World Cup starts this week with downhill and super G in Lake Louise. In ÖSV camp is the retired Michael Walchhofer be replaced. Mathias Berthold is confident in his second season as head ÖSV Lord, even if just in his debut first winter since 1995/96 brought a crystal ball.

Vanity is not the subject of Berthold. "I was especially hurt that we had so many casualties," the 46-year-old Vorarlberg pointed out that the winter was past eleven victories and 30 podium finishes, actually a very good one. If it was not only the many serious injuries as was Hans Grugger, Benjamin Raich, Mario Scheiber and Georg Streitberger.

Except for all the injured Grugger are back and so was the former world champion professional Berthold confident that it will run well into the next four months. "We have trained a lot and I have seen many good things, where we have developed skier. There is still a bit of consistency, but overall I have a good feeling."

In addition, training in the summer and fall went very well. Colorado was established in terms of preparation for various types of snow, the last piece of the puzzle and in very good conditions. Berthold: ". Goes to the aggressive North American snow, it mainly to soulful skiing is what we need later in the winter time and again."

Has set the perfect preparation for the training also includes the five-million-dollar US-Speed ​​Center in Copper Mountain, with the National Association for the training center "Center of Excellence" in Park City, another milestone. The ÖSV men have with the U.S. team a good understanding, "so we do not have to beg," says Berthold. "They are looking for a location tracking, so do we. This training was extremely important."

With his U.S. counterpart Sasha Rearick Berthold is in things like the material but quite divided on reform, "but there is great respect." U.S. Alpine director Patrick Riml, Tyrol, is at all a longtime friend. "A man with a handshake qualities."

Berthold stressed the importance of the North American tour with her five races, even if in the previous year Ivica Kostelic the "pot" backed almost exclusively with its sensational January series. "Of course, the race to be considered separately here because of the special snow. If you want to go but a consistently strong season, you must already be there."

Sölden is loud Berthold as an assessment of something too far away from the season. Quite different from North America. "Now set the course. A good start with lots of power is very important for the confidence to be able to seamlessly connect in Europe.

Although virtually snowless Val d'Isere is currently, it is assumed that after the North American tour beat goes on strike. "The team should also show better in Canada and the United States equally," says Berthold. Best as in the previous year with the speed of Walchhofer wins in Lake Louise and George Streitberger in Beaver Creek. "Then it went to yes Grugger accident in Kitzbuehel continued well into Europe."

After Walchhofer Rücktrit is now "bull" Klaus Kroell of 31 years and only two downhill victories, the new ÖSV Team Leader. Departure coach Andreas Evers: "Last year we had away from Walchhofer always people up front or on the podium and are certainly not become worse.."

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Raich soon hot topics on ÖSV men?


APA. ÖSV Lord Chief Mathias Berthold has immediately before the start of the Alpine North American tour, the assessment reaffirms that his team will ride in the upcoming "season" rather small at only World Cup balls. "For the World Cup you have to be at least three disciplines, winning driver, because I see no one at the moment", the Vorarlberg emphasized during training in Vail / Colorado.

From there traveled Benjamin Raich, Klaus Kroell and Co. via Denver, where Sunday evening was the visit of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche game against San Jose as the last "doping" scheduled Monday morning in Canada. With the speed-Double in Lake Louise (Downhill, Super-G) and the following, again in Colorado held Triple Pack in Beaver Creek (Downhill, Super G, giant slalom), the season one month after Sölden and the following Levi-rejection comes at last really in the aisles.

Are many candidates for the coveted World Cup trophy is currently in ÖSV men's team is not in fact. The highly touted for years with 25 Romed Baumann is one of the youngest top riders on the descent. "He has certainly taken a step further. We're talking about but also about a man who has not won a single World Cup race," says Berthold. "Others, like Ivica Kostelic and Carlo Janka the other hand, have already proven."

And because Mario Scheiber once again returning from an injury, you would already arrived again at Benjamin Raich. But the Pitztal fights for his torn ACL in February primarily to the port. "Take it one must, above all the pressure, to set goals towards the World Cup. That would not make sense," warned former racers Berthold.

This showed Raich's 46-year-old chief of the development of his protégé in Colorado almost enthusiastic. "Benni has improved greatly over Sölden, I am extremely pleased with him," there was much praise for the 33-year-old double Olympic champion from the Tyrol, who had described himself in October as "physically fit than ever."

Perhaps the Pitztal so sooner than expected return of the hottest iron ÖSV men. "I like him skier, all of his body language and appearance from her even better than last year at this time," stated Berthold. "It lacks, of course, one or the other training day. Overall, he is on the right track."

The most successful ski racer with 35 World Cup victories active Raich will therefore deny in Lake Louise downhill training at the least and the super-G. In Beaver Creek, he will focus on fixed but the super-G and the giant slalom and leave out the very difficult and strenuous bird of prey downhill at 3,000 meters above sea level.

Likewise, should the young runners this winter, the cards on the table, took his Berthold also often been moved from the European Cup in the coming duty. "They should make Weltcupunkte," said the head coach, who asked to be patient also. "It will take two to three years until the boys reach a constant level."

On the Swiss girls that do not run out of puff ...


Grab while shopping for oxygen: Fraenzi Aufdenblatten (right) and Fabienne Suter.
Has after the eye revealed an approximated secret and shown the Swiss ski girls with oxygen mask, counters Fraenzi Aufdenblatten now in Facebook to their ironic article "The work of our coaches not only the pure support includes on the slopes. As you can see enough of the professionalism our team, even up into private areas of the athletes, just like for example ... THE SHOPPING (see in this picture Michi Vogt and our scientist Luca de Marchi, our fitness coach. Both, as always, professionally at work).

Maria Riesch-Höfl feels unfairly criticized
Olympic champion Maria Riesch-Höfl feels after her false start in the World Cup season treated unfairly. "I've become a target," the 27-year-old said in an interview in the magazine Bunte. "The criticism is partly gone below the belt". A correlation between the poor performance at the opening giant slalom in late October in Sölden with rank 24 and her weight loss of seven pounds she had decided to return. Höfl-Riesch felt totally comfortable and is fully fit. "If I had won the first race, all would have said: Great, now she has even more power."
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Alpine Ski: Höfl-Riesch: "I have become a target" - read on to FOCUS Online:

Felix Neureuther and the trick with the trout
Felix Neureuther has two friends, the hockey player Uli Maurer , and Martin Buchwieser from EHC Munich. With these he spends a lot of free time and, above all, always the New Year. "We eat a trout, because we believe that with a trout in the new year things will get better," Felix, the Munich newspaper betrayed. This year, the three have verspiesen even before the World Cup start in Sölden even a trout, but the trick seems to appear after New Year's Eve - Neureuther was not able to qualify for the second giant slalom run. A big feast there will not be coming on New Year's Eve, however - on 1 January rise in the Munich City event, and because Felix wants to shine, of course. Finally, he has already won in Moscow (2009). He must hope, however, that his knee injury is healed by then.