Today, a good three weeks before the Ski World Cup races on the Saslong and on the Gran Risa, the Organizing Committees presented the two events in Bolzano/Bozen. There will be four days of skiing at the highest level, enriched by a wonderful entertainment program for ski fans of all kinds.

"The weather is cooperating, too", enthused Val Gardena/Gröden's OC president Rainer Senoner, referring to the ideally low temperatures that have been prevailing for a few days. "Also, the snowfalls make a helpful contribution, especially pleasing for the eyes. Andy Varallo wholeheartedly agreed. He has been president of the organizers of Alta Badia for several months now. On the 14 December, a super-G will take place in Val Gardena/ Gröden followed by the classic downhill race the next day before the World Cup moves on to the nearby Alta Badia valley.

Thanks to an invitation from the Leitner Group, a press conference introducing the novelties of the Val Gardena/Gröden World Cup program was held at the NOI Techpark. The start numbers for the super-G will be given out publicly for the first time on the day before the race at 5:45 pm at the Puent da Mulin in Selva/Wolkenstein. On Friday evening, as usual, the award ceremony for the super-G race and the bib number selection for the downhill will take place at the Antonius square in Ortisei/St.Ulrich.

The evening continues with a celebration in the SASLounge in the finish area at "The Ski World Cup at Christmas" event. "Everyone is invited and can look forward to a great program" reported Senoner. Among other things, there will be a fashion show by Luis Trenker, as well as a performance by comedian Lukas Lobis, the Duo DeDuo and Schuachplattler Gitschn, an all-female traditional Tyrolean dancing group from nearby Pustertal.

The third novelty in the program is the "Vitalini Speed Contest", where the fastest girl and boy among 120 young racers will be sought. The competition takes place immediately after the end of the super-G on the Finish Schuss section of the Saslong.

Petra Seppi from NOI Techpark also spoke at the press conference. She presented the "Safety Innovation Summit", which will take place on 11 and 12 December in Bolzano/Bozen and Val Gardena/Gröden. The conference is about new ideas, concepts and projects for ski racing and race course safety in skiing. Among other things, the participants will examine the safety equipment on the Saslong during the World Cup races. "It is necessary to bring together companies, equipment suppliers, researchers, professionals and athletes to share solutions," Seppi emphasized.