Adrien Theaux opens the super-G on Friday

The start numbers for the super-G on the Saslong were decided during a lovely celebration at the "Puent da Mulin" in Selva/Wolkenstein.

“Everything is ready and we are looking forward to great races"

The mood of the organizers and the FIS was very good also at the third team captains' meeting in Selva/Wolkenstein. Both training runs went without any major incidents, thus, nothing stands in the way of the upcoming two races on the weekend.

The second training as seen by the international media

The training victory of the Austrian Max Franz was reported in numerous online media around the globe. Here is a small excerpt...

"Max is the man to beat"

With his clear victory in the second training session, the Austrian Max Franz definitely established himself as the favorite to win the downhill on Saturday. Here are what the racers had to say about the 2nd day of training.

A "Christmas Party" on Friday - without Lukas Lobis

The men's super-G is not the only highlight on the docket for Friday in Val Gardena/Gröden. In the evening, there will be a rich entertainment program for all ski fans and media representatives.

Max Franz leaves everyone behind in the second training run

Max Franz's was the best time in the second and last downhill training in view of the classic race scheduled for Saturday. This training on the Saslong also took place in good conditions.

VIDEO: “Course will continue to develop very well"

FIS race director Markus Waldner was very satisfied with the first downhill training. The resident from nearby Brixen/Bressanone also has no doubts for the upcoming race weekend and expects exciting competitions on a fast track.

"I know I can do more"

Christof Innerhofer gave an impressive performance proving that he is also good for a top ranking this year on the Saslong after a fourth place in the first training. In an interview, the South Tyrolean talks about his great start of the season and further goals this World Cup winter.

VIDEO: Peter Runggaldier talks about the secrets of the Saslong

Hardly anyone else knows the Saslong as well as the former ski racer Peter Runggaldier. The 49-year-old from Selva/Wolkenstein, who climbed a World Cup podium twelve times in the 1990s, took a close look at the race week for us.

From Val Gardena/Gröden to the whole wide world

The first downhill training was not only front and center in the Saslong editorial office but also covered by numerous online media. Here is a small excerpt...

The first training makes you want for more

During the second team captains’ meeting in Selva/Wolkenstein, FIS and the Organizing Committee reviewed the first downhill training and took a look at the rest of the race week ahead. The team is pleased with today and ready for the second training day.

The voices of the first training in Val Gardena/Gröden

At the first training run for the downhill classic on the Saslong, the American Travis Ganong was the fastest of all. After the training, racers gave their first assessments for the record.

Travis Ganong ahead in first practice run

On Wednesday, the first of two downhill training runs took place in Val Gardena/Gröden under wonderful sunny conditions. The American Travis Ganong clocked the fastest time.

Online media reports on first day in Val Gardena / Gröden

Not only the Saslong editorial team reported on first day in Val Gardena / Gröden but also numerous online media worldwide. Here is a selection...

"Ideal race course, good weather forecasts"

On Tuesday evening, the first team captains’ meeting took place in Selva/Wolkenstein, which traditionally opens the World Cup week in Val Gardena/Gröden. The discussion was about the race week in general as well as the condition of the race course - but there was more: as leaked during the meeting, the beleaguered Peter Fill will not participate in the downhill.

New ideas for more safety in skiing

As part of the Ski World Cup, a glimpse into the future of skiing will be takin in the NOI Techpark in Bolzano/Bozen and on the Saslong in Val Gardena/Grödenwill. At the "Safety Innovation Summit", suppliers, research institutes and athletes will discuss new ideas, concepts and projects for race and course safety. All aspects of safety will be explored - from course conditions, equipment and race organization to safety fences and barriers.

The Saslong editorial team is ready!

Everything is ready for the speed classics on the legendary Saslong in Val Gardena/Gröden. The race track is in an ideal condition, the weather forecasts are promising and the Saslong editors are ready to get to work as well.

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde: "I want to win the super-G"

Battle announcement by Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, winner of the 2017 Südtirol Ski Trophy; he is 26 and is no longer hiding behind his successful compatriots: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde was on the podium in Val Gardena/Gröden for the first time in 2015 and won the super-G World Cup in the same year - but he still sees himself in a learning stage. His long-term objective is to compete for the overall World Cup.

Program of the women's race in Val Gardena

Three practice runs and two races.

Here is the official program for the women's race at the Saslong:

Val Gardena/Gröden is looking forward to a big TV presence

The whole world is waiting for the ski races in Val Gardena/Gröden. As sports marketing company Infront announced, the races on the Saslong will be seen all across the European, Asian and North American continents.

Val Gardena/Gröden takes over Val d'Isère ladies‘ race

For the first time, Val Gardena/Gröden will host ladies‘ World Cup races. There will be a downhill and a super-G on the Saslong on 18 and 19 December. These two races and a combination had to be cancelled in Val d'Isère in France due to lack of snow.

Join us at the Camel Humps

One thing is sure: the Saslong is luring viewers looking for something special. For all those who want to turn their adventure into something unforgettable, the organizers have a few additional offerings: the SasLOUNGE, the VIP tent at the Finish or - uniquely in Val Gardena/Gröden - the special Camel Humps Package.

One new and two old acquaintances

Nils Mani, triple winner of the "Raiffeisen FIS Challenge" in Val Gardena/Gröden, Miriam Kirchler, victorious for the second time, and Federico Paini from Italy could cheer today. They all won a super-G on the 'Piz Sella' track in Plan de Gralba, Selva/Wolkenstein.

"Raiffeisen FIS Challenge": Three winning faces

Today, three more "Raiffeisen FIS Challenge" races took place on the 'Piz Sella' track in Plan de Gralba near Selva/Wolkenstein. In the men's downhill, Nils Mani (Switzerland) repeated his victory of the day before, in the ladies' races the Italian Ilaria Ghisalberti and the South Tyrolean Miriam Kirchler won.

FIS races: Switzerland celebrates double victory

In today's "Raiffeisen FIS Challenge”, both first and second places went to two Swiss: Nils Mani won in 1:27.89 seconds ahead of Lars Rösti (+0.43) and the Austrian Christopher Hörl (+0,45) who started for Moldova. The conditions were very good on the 'Piz Sella' course in Plan de Gralba, Selva/Wolkenstein.

FIS gives the green light

Everything is ready, including the race track! FIS confirmed the World Cup races on the Saslong at today's snow check. There will be a super-G on Friday, 14 December followed by the traditional downhill the day after.

„Raiffeisen FIS Challenge“ in Val Gardena/Gröden

A series of FIS races will take place in Val Gardena/Gröden from tomorrow Saturday to Monday on the 'Piz Sella' course in Plan de Gralba above Selva/Wolkenstein. The program includes super-G and downhill races for both men and women.

Fanclubs, we are looking forward to seeing you!

They are part of the Ski-World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden like the Camel Humps and the Ciaslat meadow, they have their own place on a dedicated grand stands and cannot be missed in 2018: the fan clubs! "It will be another great festival with fan clubs from South Tyrol and from all over Europe" promises fan club coordinator Genni Tschurtschenthaler.

Saslong course and Key Sections

The Saslong Downhill is named after the Ladin word of the 3181 m high mountain that rises behind it. It is one of the classic Downhill races in the World Cup.

South Tyrol welcomes the Ski World Cup

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.