Rainer Senoner is the new president of Club5
A new board was elected at the Club5 workshop in Madonna di Campiglio on Monday. In future, Rainer Senoner, President of the Saslong Classic Club and Race Director at the World Cup in Val Gardena, will be in charge of the association of classic World Cup venues. 19 organisers are now members of Club5.
A repeat win: Südtirol Ski Trophy for Aleksander Aamodt Kilde
The Norwegian racer A.A Kilde was awarded the Südtirol Ski Trophy on Monday evening in the finish area of the Gran Risa. This award is given to the racer who earns the most points in the four World Cup races in the two Ladin valleys.
"Excellent slope, great weather!"
The International Ski Federation FIS and the Organizing Committee Val Gardena/Gröden met on Monday evening for the second team captains’ meeting to discuss the first training day with the participants.
What the racers had to say about the training runs
Racers - and others - expressed their opinions on the training runs.
The ladies on the Saslong: the training runs
On Monday, the downhill training took place in Val Gardena/Gröden at 10:00 am.
We're looking forward to the ladies‘ races. "We're ready!"
Am Sonntagabend fand in Wolkenstein die erste Mannschaftsführersitzung statt, die heuer zum ersten Mal die Frauen Welt-Cup Woche einleitet.
"A ladies' race on the Saslong has always been my dream”
Isolde Kostner from Val Gardena/Gröden was one of the world’s best athletes in both the downhill and super-G disciplines at the turn of the millennium. In an interview, the two-time World Champion and two-time winner of the Downhill World Cup talks about the upcoming ladies’ races on the Saslong.
Kilde dominates the downhill in Val Gardena/Gröden
It’s Norway again! This time, it’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, Aksel Lund Svindal’s younger team member who is standing on top of the podium. It's his downhill on the Saslong and his first triumph in Val Gardena/Gröden.
Kilde in the lead at the "Südtirol Ski Trophy”
This year again, the athlete who scores the most points during the four races in South Tyrol will be awarded during the World Cup week in Val Gardena & Alta Badia. After two competitions, the Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde is in first place.
“A hell of a race”
Another Norwegian victory, but with Aleksander Aamodt Kilde a new name on the highest podium. Here is what the racers had to say about today's downhill.
Marc Gisin stable after heavy fall
The Swiss Marc Gisin, who took a heavy fall during the Val Gardena/Gröden downhill, is in a stable condition based on initial feedback.
The online media celebrate Kilde's victory
The events of the Val Gardena/Gröden downhill were reported in many online media around the globe. Here a small excerpt...
Otmar Striedinger's fan club is unbeatable
Also in 2018, the traditional fan club parade could not be missed during the World Cup week in Val Gardena/Gröden. Before the start of the Saturday downhill, the fans of the ski stars met in the centre of Santa Cristina to parade to the finish area of the Saslong.
Vitalini Speed Contest, dreaming of Svindal and others
Following in the footsteps of Svindal & Co., the "Vitalini Speed Contest" was held immediately after the super-G, a speed competition dedicated to the very young talents of skiing.
VIDEO: a special thank you by Sarah Lewis
A special thank you by FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis to the organizers of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Val Gardena/Gröden for both hosting the men’s Super-G and classic Downhill but, furthermore, for stepping in and hosting two additional ladies’ events making this an extra special World Cup week in the valley.
Theaux also kicking off downhill with start number 1
The award ceremony of the super-G on Friday evening on the Antonius Square in Ortisei/St. Ulrich was immediately followed by the the bib draw for Saturday’s downhill.
"It couldn't be better."
At the team captains’ meeting on Friday in Selva/Wolkenstein, the super-G was reviewed and the latest information announced for the downhill on Saturday.
The super-G in Val Gardena/Gröden as seen by the international media
The events on the Saslong on Friday found their coverage in numerous online media from all over the world. Here is a small excerpt...
"A role model for all"
After his victory in the super-G on Friday, "Saslong King" Aksel Lund Svindal outshines everything in Val Gardena/Gröden. Here is what the racers had to say about today's super-G.
Record holder Aksel Lund Svindal wins the super-G ahead of a super Christof Innerhofer
He is still the king, Aksel Lund Svindal. The Norwegian wins once again on the Saslong amassing seven victories on the Val Gardena/Gröden track. Svindal wins today's super-G ahead of Christof Innerhofer. The Italian sees the first place fade away by only 5/100 of a second. Another Norwegian completes the podium, Kjetil Jansrud. Wonderful day and wonderful audience in the first race of the World Cup weekend in Val Gardena/Gröden.
VIDEO: Alexander Rabanser on the job of course slider
Alexander Rabanser is responsible for the "slippers" on the Saslong. In the video, he explains what work awaits him and his 35-people-strong team during the World Cup week in Val Gardena/Gröden.
The FISI invites the schoolchildren of Val Gardena/Gröden to the ladies’ competitions
The Organizing Committee and the Italian winter sports federation FISI invite all schoolchildren of Val Gardena/Gröden to attend the downhill and super-G races for free.
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.