U.S. Ski Team News - Alpine

Stiegler Out For Season

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

VAIL, CO (Nov. 20) - U.S. Ski Team athlete Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY) will be out for the season as a result of an injury in giant slalom training Thursday at Copper Mountain, CO. According to U.S. Ski Team Medical Director Richard Quincy, Stiegler suffered a serious complex injury to her left leg, which will keep her out for the rest of the season.

Quincy stated that Stiegler suffered fractures of the tibia and femur, which required surgical intervention. She was treated at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic at the Vail Valley Medical Center where she was hospitalized following surgery Thursday.

"This was a serious injury for Resi, but her spirit is strong," said Quincy. "One of the first things she asked was if she could be ready for on-snow camp in New Zealand next summer."

Stiegler made a comeback from a series of injuries to start in the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships last February, before breaking her foot. Her training this fall had been strong and she was back in action returning to the Audi FIS World Cup in Austria last month. She had been scheduled to start in the Aspen Winternational Nov. 28-29.

Men's Alpine Amped for Birds

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

BEAVER CREEK, CO (Nov. 20) – The excitement of the 2010 Olympic season is cued to crank up a notch December 4-6 when the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup rolls into Beaver Creek for the Audi Birds of Prey Race Week, the lone men's alpine World Cup stop on American snow prior to Vancouver.

Billed as one of the most intense tracks in all of alpine ski racing, fans will flood the Red Tail finish area as reigning Olympic combined gold medalist Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) and two-time World Cup overall champion Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) cross the line to a pulsating roar from the crowd.

"There's nothing like ripping Birds of Prey," said Ligety, a three-time Birds podium finisher. "Beaver Creek is our only home game and the entire Team gets amped to perform in front of our friends and family. It's not that often where the entire finish area is your cheering section."

"My sister tells me the 'Marco Rocks' fan club will be rolling pretty deep again this year," said Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA). "They've rented three condos and will definitely be the 30 to 40 loudest people around that week."

Birds opens with super combined on Friday, Nov. 4 followed by the famed downhill on Saturday before wrapping with Ligety's bread and butter, the GS on Sunday.

The downhill will air Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC with replay Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. ET on Versus followed by super combined at 5 p.m. ET. Versus will also air GS on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. ET. Additionally Universal Sports will stream the super combined and GS live at www.UniversalSports.com.

"Birds of Prey is the full package," said men's alpine Head Coach Sasha Rearick. "The guys are stoked to race in front of their fans and nobody puts together a World Cup event better than Beaver Creek. Plus the race hill is just awesome and includes every single aspect of modern downhill. From speed to turns to big air, it's all there and is such a fun track for our guys to perform on."

The Team is priming for Birds throughout the Vail Valley and Colorado Rockies taking full advantage of excellent snow conditions at Vail, Copper Mountain and Loveland before moving to Lake Louise, Alberta for the opening men's World Cup speed races over Thanksgiving.

"The training has been awesome," added Sullivan. "By the time we get to Birds, we'll have two solid weeks under our belts in Colorado and a few races from Lake Louise before we crank things up in Beaver Creek."

Longtime Birds of Prey Chief of Course Greg Johnson reports that over 85 percent of snowmaking is completed with crews dozing the Golden Eagle Jump to the Red Tail finish Friday, then moving up to the Pumphouse turn over the weekend. "This is one of our best year-to-date efforts ever," said Johnson from his perch high up on the Birds of Prey race course.

A men's World Cup stop for 13 years, the U.S. Ski Team has a storied record of success in Beaver Creek with 15 podiums, including five wins since 2003. Miller accounts for three of those victories, plus an additional two more top three finishes, while Ligety, Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) and alpine veteran turned ski cross ace Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, CA) are also Birds podium staples.

"It is the unique combination of amazing terrain, state of the art infrastructure and technology plus a passionate and knowledgeable volunteer race crew that makes the Audi Birds of Prey such a special race," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Vice President Events Calum Clark. "Each year, the race crew takes hill preparation to a new level of excellence which allows the athletes to excel."

It has also been a launching pad for young racers’ careers as both Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) and TJ Lanning (Park City, UT) have kicked of solid seasons at Beaver Creek. It was only two years ago when Weibrecht exploded from the 53rd start position in a snowstorm to take 10th in the downhill with one of the most on-edge runs in the race’s legendary history.

"It’s not often that you can say you have one of the world’s best downhill courses in your own backyard," offered Michael Imhof, Vice President of Sales and Operations for the Vail Valley Foundation, "but that’s exactly what we have with Birds of Prey. Through the years, this race and course have provided many great moments and memories, from Aksel Lund Svindal’s comeback last year to Maier’s eight wins to the string of American victories. Birds of Prey is a special course and event, and we are proud to be able to call it our own."

A full slate of off slope activities are planned for the week including autograph signings with the U.S. Ski Team, a public bib presentation and fireworks.

2009 Audi Birds of Prey Schedule (all times local)

Thursday, Dec. 3
5:30 p.m. MT: Public Bib Presentation and U.S. Ski Team autograph signing

Friday, Dec, 4
11 a.m. MT: super combined – downhill
2:30 p.m. men's super combined - slalom

Saturday, Dec. 5
11 a.m. MT: downhill

Sunday, Dec. 6
9:45 a.m. MT: GS run one
12:45 p.m. GS run two

For complete information on the Audi Birds of Prey Race Week, check out www.bcworldcup.com.

Stiegler Injured at Copper

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO (Nov. 19) - U.S. Ski Team athlete Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY) was injured Thursday during giant slalom training at Copper Mountain. According to U.S. Ski Team Medical Director Richard Quincy, Stiegler suffered a left knee injury. She was evacuated off the mountain to the clinic at the base, then transported to the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic at Vail Valley Medical Center for evaluation.

Audi Announces U.S. Ski Team Film

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO (Nov. 18) - As part of its continued support of the U.S. Ski Team, Audi of America announced that it has commissioned a documentary film, Truth in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team’s Road to Vancouver, which will tell the unique stories of these elite American athletes as they prepare for the competition of their lives – the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Truth in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team’s Road to Vancouver will air first January 30 at 8pm EST on NBC, followed by an appearance on the USA Network on February 6 at 5pm EST. It will also run three times in primetime on the Universal Sports Network. Audi has been a sponsor of the U.S. Ski Team since 2007.

Director Brett Morgen talks U.S. Ski Team athlete Jake Zamansky at Soelden. (Tom Kelly)

The film will be directed by Brett Morgen, multiple-award winning director of such acclaimed documentaries as The Kid Stays in the Picture and On the Ropes. The film is executive produced by ten-time Emmy Award winner Rick Gentile, executive producer of three Olympic Winter Games, and MediaCom Entertainment’s Adam Pincus.

The film focuses on a select group of elite American skiers at different stages of their careers through the crucial months of training leading up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Truth in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team’s Road to Vancouver chronicles not just the physical skill necessary to compete at the highest level, but also the uniquely personal quest that is involved in achieving greatness. Some of the featured players will qualify and some may not and the film will detail the triumphs and struggles of all those involved.

Audi of America introduced the film at a press event in Copper Mountain, the site of one of the U.S. Ski Team's training camps. Media were invited to attend on-site, as well as through a live web conference where they engaged with members of the team as well as Audi of America’s Chief Marketing Officer Scott Keogh and director Morgen.

“Audi of America’s continued sponsorship of the U.S. Ski Team has been a perfect fit from day one,” said Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer, Audi of America. “This film is exemplary of our dedication to this team and the unique stories it will create, as well as a chance to chronicle the synchronous use of technology, innovation and willpower that defines both Audi and the U.S. Ski Team.”

"It was awesome working on this project with Audi and the entire production crew. Brett and his team bring a really unique perspective to our sport," said Olympic Gold Medalist Skier Ted Ligety. "We're grateful for Audi's support of this project and look forward to seeing alpine ski racing in primetime outside of the Olympic Winter Games!"

"Audi and the U.S. Ski Team share common goals of excellence and performance, which makes for a great partnership with our athletes who compete on the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup," said U.S. Ski Team President and CEO Bill Marolt. "And, just like Audi, speed and engineering play a pivotal role for all of us in achieving performance goals."

The U.S. Ski Team is continuing to training in Colorado at Copper Mountain, Vail's Golden Peak and Loveland in preparation for upcoming Audi FIS World Cups at Aspen Nov. 28-29 and Beaver Creek Dec. 4-6.

ABOUT AUDI
Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi lineup is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. In selling one million vehicles worldwide in 2008, AUDI AG recorded its 13th consecutive record year for sales growth. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

ABOUT THE U.S. SKI TEAM
The U.S. Ski Team, an integral part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, develops and trains the top Olympic skiers in America, competing annually on the Audi FIS World Cup with a goal of being the best in the world in Olympic skiing. The public can follow and support the Team through its new U.S. Ski Team Fan Club.

Fans Can Design Vonn's Olympic Helmet

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

VAIL, CO (Nov. 18) - Fans will have a chance to design the Olympic helmet of World Champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO). NBCOlympics.com invites fans to join in the Countdown to Vancouver and participate in the “Design Lindsey’s Helmet” contest, beginning November 23. Vonn, one of the most successful alpine skiers in U.S. history, is challenging fans to convince her that their artwork is what she wants to feature on her helmet while soaring down the slopes during the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

“This is your chance to be with me in Vancouver,” said Vonn. “Whether you’re an aspiring graphic designer or just someone who likes to doodle all day, it doesn’t matter if you snow plow down the bunny slopes, tree-ski in waist deep powder, or just hang in the lodge, I want to see your designs.”

To enter the contest, fans as young as 13 years old can log on to NBCOlympics.com/lindseys-helmet/ and enter original artwork by December 21. A team of judges will narrow the submissions down to a final three designs, which will be showcased on NBCOlympics.com the first week of January. Fans will then have the opportunity to log on and vote to help Lindsey decide on the winning design.

The voting closes on January 11 with the winner to be announced in late January. The grand prize winner for the “Design Lindsey’s Helmet” contest will be awarded a trip for two to Vail, one of the world’s top ski resorts. Prizes also include a pair of Head skis and bindings and a Uvex helmet and goggles.

“Now that the World Cup season has started, I’m getting very excited for the Olympics,” said Vonn. “I really wanted to do something that allowed my fans to share in my Vancouver experience, and this is what I came up with. I’m looking forward to seeing what people create for my helmet.”

In support of the contest, NBCOlympics.com is undertaking several different promotional tactics to alert fans about the challenge, including online ads that will run on the web site, 30 second-spots to run on NBC and Universal Sports, and a grassroots campaign designed to reach out to art and design schools across the country as well as online and print-based lifestyle media outlets.

Vonn is coming off a second place finish in the opening Audi FIS World Cup slalom last weekend in Levi, Finland. She is continuing to train at Vail's Golden Peak in anticipation of the Aspen Winternational World Cup coming up Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 28-29. Friday (Nov. 20) she will takes questions from kids in a live Webcast from 5:00-6:00 p.m. MT at LindseyIsEpic.com.

Fans can follow the Vancouver Bound Vonn all season long at usskiteam.com, or get insider news through the Team's new Fan Club.

Ligety Tops U.S. in Levi Slalom

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

LEVI, Finland (Nov. 15) – Olympic combined champion Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) led the U.S. Ski Team in 18th followed directly by Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH) in the first slalom of the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup season.

Austrian Reinfried Herbst edged Croation Ivica Kostelic and reigning World Cup slalom champion Jean-Baptiste Grange for the sixth slalom victory of his career. Levi also marked the return of Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) to World Cup racing, yet he wasn't able to finish the second run after getting hit in the face with a gate.

Universal Sports will broadcast the race at 10 a.m. ET on its 24 hour TV network and will have on-demand streaming available at www.UniversalSports.com.

Ligety was seventh after the first run and leading by .37 at the first split of the second run before running into trouble on the steeps. The same tricky section slowed first run leader Andre Myhrer of Sweden, who dropped to 11th.

"Half of the top 30 had second run trouble at the top of the steeps and Ted was one of those guys," said Men's Technical Head Coach Rudi Soulard. "They were coming over the pitch with speed, then getting kicked out and ending up below the next gate. From there it was tough to regain rhythm."

Miller was fast through the first series of the second run before getting slammed across the nose, blurring his vision for a few seconds and forcing him to stop.

"His nose was bleeding pretty badly and he has a fat lip, but he's OK," said Soulard. "His skiing is not where he needs to be yet, but he was able to get a second run and he's doing all the right things to get there."

After starting mid pack in the first run, Cochran arced to 26th, then hopped seven more places to pick up a few World Cup points, and more importantly, improve his starting position in slalom.

"Jimmy did a good job. He started 46 and skied to 19th. The goal for him was to make the top 30, but now with this result, he's probably back in the top 30 start list for slalom," said Soulard.

Young gun Nolan Kasper (Warren, VT) and Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV) failed to make the second run as Kasper lost his rhythm down the pitch and Jitloff straddled near the top of the first run.

"Nolan skied pretty well for his first World Cup start. He had the same problems as all the other guys on the steep, but did well for his first big race. And Jit was flying in the first run, but straddled. That's slalom and he wasn't holding back, that's the important part," said Soulard.

The U.S. technical Team now returns to Colorado to prepare for the Audi Birds of Prey Race week set for Dec. 4-6 in Beaver Creek, CO. It will be the lone men's World Cup stop in America prior to the Olympics.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 AUDI FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP
Levi, Finland – Nov. 15, 2009
Men's Slalom

1. Reinfried Herbst, Austria, 1:49.79
2. Ivica Kostelic, Croatia, 1:50.07
3. Jean-Baptiste Grange, France, 1:50.32
4. Matias Hargin, Sweden, 1:50.34
5. Julien Lizeroux, France, 1:50.70
-
18. Ted Ligety, Park City, UT, 1:51.88
19. Jimmy Cochran, Keene, NH, 1:52.05
-
Did not finish second run
Bode Miller, Franconia, NH
-
Did not qualify for a second run
Nolan Kasper, Warren, VT
-
Did not finish first run
Tim Jitloff, Reno, NV

###

For complete results
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=AL&raceid=59013

Vonn 2nd, .08 Shy of Levi SL Win

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

LEVI, Finland (Nov. 14) – It didn't take long for double World Champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) to find her way back to the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup podium as the two-time overall winner finished second to friend and reigning World Cup slalom champion Maria Riesch of Germany Saturday.

Lindsey Vonn crushes the slope in Levi to finish second. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

"I really love Levi, this hill reminds me so much of racing back in Buck Hill," said Vonn, who finished 3rd in the World Cup slalom standings last season in addition to capturing World Cup titles in downhill and super G. "It would have been nice to get the win again, but I had a big mistake at the bottom and Maria had a really good run so it's tough to say if I would have beat her without that mistake."

Near the bottom of the course Vonn boot-topped a gate and was nearly knocked off course, yet made a stunning recovery and maintained her composure to finish a mere .08 behind Riesch.

"Lindsey hasn't missed a beat, she's pretty incredible," said U.S. Ski Team women's technical Head Coach Trevor Wagner. "But the win was there for sure. She was nuking the second run and just had a number of tiny mistakes that added up. Still what she's doing right now in slalom is awesome."

Universal Sports will broadcast the race at 10 a.m. ET on its 24-hour TV network and on-demand streaming is available later Saturday at www.UniversalSports.com.

It was her second consecutive trip to the Levi podium after notching her first World Cup slalom victory on the Levi Black course just one year ago. Finnish favorite and Soelden giant slalom winner Tanja Poutianen rounded out the top three.

Lindsey Vonn celebrates taking second during the World Cup Women's Slalom in Levi, Finland. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

"This gives me awesome confidence going into the Aspen Winternational in a few weeks," said Vonn, who finished 4th in the Aspen slalom last season. "My slalom skis are feeling really good and until you race you don't really have a measure for how you're doing against the other girls so I'm pretty happy to be on the podium.

"I'm headed back to Vail now too get in some more slalom and GS training before Aspen. It's so cool t have that slope as a resource and I know the whole team has been and will be using it to prepare for the Colorado races. It's really evident after today that the training I was able to get in Vail was really valuable."

Hailey Duke (Boise, ID) and Kaylin Richardson (Edina, MN) added to the strong U.S. Ski Team showing in biting 15 degree cold finishing 21st and 23rd respectively. Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO) nearly joined the American points party after finishing 16th in the opening leg before being disqualified for missing the sixth gate.

"The U.S. Ski Team is skiing so well," added Vonn. I'm so proud of what Kaylin, Hailey and Sarah did today and Resi and Sterling have been working so hard. This is a really strong technical team and I think we're going to show that in Aspen."

At just over 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Levi is dark much of the day with a small window of light falling between the 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. locally making a lighted second run an absolute necessity. Yet the lights reflection off the frozen air particles created for tricky visibility.

"Sarah would have been in there too, but she blew right by that gate on the top," added Wagner. "We looked at the tape a couple of times and she definitely missed it, but through the entire midsection of the course, she had some of the best skiing out there."

The results backed up Wagner's thoughts that the Team has been training very well and is poised to make a surge in SL and GS. Duke had been in contention much of last season in slalom scoring points in five races, including a career best 8th in Semmering, Austria, but it was Richardson's first World Cup technical points since the 2007 Aspen Winternational.

"Hailey did a great job. She was skiing with a sore ankle and battled through that really well and we saw great skiing out of Kaylin. It's never easy to rally into the flip from that far back in the start order and both she and Sarah did it."

Schleper and Richardson started the race wearing bibs 58 and 70. Stiegler, who turned 24 today, missed the top 30 after the first run along with Sterling Grant (Amery, WI). It was only the second World Cup race for Stiegler since a Dec. 2007 injury.

"The skiing is there for Resi. She's been training well and knows she's capable of a lot better, but this is only her second World Cup in two years. It's a progression," Wagner said.

The Team now flies immediately to Colorado for a training block prior to the Aspen Winternational set for Thanksgiving Weekend in Aspen, CO. The annual Rocky Mountain stop is the only women's World Cup race in America for the Vancouver Bound U.S. Ski Team prior to the February Olympics.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 AUDI FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP
Levi, Finland – Nov. 14, 2009
Women's Slalom

1. Maria Riesch, Germany, 1.48.71
2. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:48.79
3. Tanja Poutianen, Finland, 1:49.87
4. Susanne Riesch, Germany, 1:50.04
5. Michaela Kirchgasser, Austria, 1:50.32
-
21. Hailey Duke, Boise, ID, 1:52.30
23. Kaylin Richardson, Edina, MN, 1:52.31
-
Did not qualify for a second run
Resi Stiegler, Jackson Hole, WY; Sterling Grant, Amery, WI
-
Disqualified
Sarah Schleper, Vail, CO
# # #

For complete results:
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=AL&raceid=59012

Lindsey Vonn celebrates in the finish after finishing second in Levi. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

Athletes Set For Aspen Winternational

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Nov. 12) – Thanksgiving weekend again brings the world's best alpine ski racers back to the Rocky Mountains for the Aspen Winternational, the first stop of the U.S. swing for the women's Audi FIS Alpine World Cup. The weekend promises excitement as Vancouver Bound athletes look for victory in GS and slalom on Aspen's Strawpile racing slope.

All eyes will be on two time World Cup overall champion and World Champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) to ace the slalom while 2006 Olympic giant slalom gold medalist Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) hopes to be a top contender in the GS race during the sixth year in a row for Aspen hosting the World Cup tour.

NBC, the Olympic network, will air coverage of the GS at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 29. Daily coverage is also available free on www.UniversalSports.com with the slalom airing LIVE and the GS on demand following the race.

Versus will broadcast the GS on Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. ET with the slalom to follow at 5 p.m. ET.

Vonn kicked the season into gear with a solid season opener in Soelden, finishing ninth in the slalom. After training in Colorado following the season opener, Vonn made her way to Levi, Finland, as she prepares to race at the World Cup stop where, in 2009, by winning her first slalom, she became the first American woman to have wins in four separate disciplines.

"Aspen is always awesome because it gives our family and friends a chance to see what we do in person. There's a special feel to World Cup races that you can't get by watching television," Vonn said. "No doubt the 'Vonnterage' is going to be in full force at Aspen. Hopefully we can get back on the podium for all the fans."

Following a summer of intense training, Mancuso, who finished seventh in last season's GS at Aspen, is looking to leave her mark on the Strawpile once again as she enjoys the Thanksgiving weekend with the U.S. home crowd.

"I'm looking forward to Aspen because it's always fun to be with the home crowd and it's a fun hill. Just being home any time of the year is special to me," Mancuso said. "Seventh is the best I've done in Aspen, so I want to get on the podium and do better."

"Everyone's excited to start racing, especially at home. Really, the Aspen race is the start of the season because we start racing every weekend after that," U.S. Women's Alpine Ski Team Head Coach Jim Tracy said. "Aspen is a traditional race and that place is all about skiing and they've had such a long tradition of racing there. It's an exciting place to go."

The seasoned history of Aspen's World Cup involvement began in 1968 when, in what was only the second season of the World Cup tour, the former mining town hosted its first World Cup race. The town's roots in ski racing, on the other hand, date back to 1939 when the mountain held the earliest sanctioned races. Later, thanks to the efforts of local skiing legend Dick Durrance, Aspen hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 1950.

An Olympic year generates tremendous coverage of skiing and ski racing, and the eyes of the world will once again be on Aspen/Snowmass as we kick off a much anticipated winter season with the Aspen Winternational," John Rigney, Aspen Skiing Company vice president, sales and events said. "Our community is extremely excited about getting back on our mountains, hosting the greatest female athletes in the world and enjoying a great show by Colorado favorites - The John Popper Project with DJ Logic."

Racing gets underway Saturday with GS followed by a slalom on Sunday. Public festivities are also planned throughout the weekend including fireworks, an athlete autograph signing and a concert featuring John Popper Project and DJ Logic

2010 Aspen Winternational Schedule (all times Mountain):

Saturday, November 28
8:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free public shuttles run every 20 minutes from Rubey Park - St. Regis - Venue
10:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sponsor Village open - Gondola Plaza
10:00 a.m. Women’s GS run 1 - Strawpile
1:00 p.m. Women’s GS run 2 - Strawpile
(awards ceremony immediately following)
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. U.S. Ski Team autograph signing - Gondola Plaza
6:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Awards ceremony for giant slalom winners and presentation of bingham cup - Concert Stage
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 pm Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series featuring John Popper Project and DJ Logic - Upper Gondola Plaza
8:30 p.m. Fireworks extravaganza - Little Nell

Sunday, November 29
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free public shuttles run every :20 minutes from Rubey Park - St. Regis - Venue
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sponsor Village open - Gondola Plaza
10:00 a.m. Women’s slalom run 1 - Strawpile
1:00 p.m. Women’s Slalom run 2 - Strawpile
(awards ceremony immediately following)

Vonn Shoots for Levi Rewind

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

LEVI, Finland (Nov. 11) – A year ago, two-time Audi FIS Alpine World Cup overall champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) notched her career first slalom win in Levi, Finland renewing the World Champion as a slalom contender. A year and three more World Cup titles later and Vonn is hoping to do it again.

Live timing is available at www.fis-ski.com starting at 4 a.m. ET Saturday with first run action followed by the second run at 7 a.m. ET. Universal Sports will broadcast the race at 10 a.m. ET on its 24-hour TV network and on-demand streaming will be available at www.UniversalSports.com following each run.

Levi marked the official start to Vonn's run at a second consecutive overall title as she went on to podium in three more slalom's during the 2009 season, including a win at the 2011 World Championships venue in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The slalom resurgence resulted in an upgrade to third in the discipline standings from 32nd in 2008.

"It's crazy, I love Levi. I'm a downhill skier, not a slalom skier, but maybe things are changing a little bit," predicted Vonn following the win a year ago. A special slalom training block courtesy of a fully injected course at Vail's Golden Peak should have Vonn ready for Levi snow conditions.

"The race hill is going to be incredibly hard and slick for sure," said women's technical Head Coach Trevor Wagner. "But we're ready for that. Lindsey had some good training at Vail before heading over here and the rest of the girls had an awesome training block at Haus im Ennstal in Austria. The coaches did our water magic on the hill and the girls were ripping it."

Levi opens with a steep pitch that piles on speed quickly, then it's a matter of holding that speed through a flat finish. Vonn made an incredible recovery last season, nearly stopping midway through the race, to win by over half a second.

"There's a lot of terrain on this hill for sure," added Wagner. "You get up to speed in a hurry, but then it's all about carrying that momentum all the way through the finish – you have to have stamina for this race."

If Vonn and fellow U.S. Ski Team starters Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, CO), Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO), Hailey Duke (Boise, ID), Kaylin Richardson (Edina, MN) and Sterling Grant (Amery, WI) race the way they've been training, Wagner says it should be an exciting weekend.

Saturday also marks Stiegler's second World Cup start since Dec. of 2007, when she was sidelined with multiple broken bones from a giant slalom crash. She returned last season for the 2009 Audi FIS Alpine World Championships and took 19th in the slalom at Val d'Isere France and raced the opening giant slalom in Soelden last month.

"Sarah has been really fast and if Resi skis like she has been, it's going to be interesting. All the girls are coming in here with some really solid training," said Wagner. "Levi isn't the toughest slalom hill we race all season, but it's the first race and the visibility is always pretty tough."

Following Levi the World Cup swings to North America for the annual Aspen Winternational in Aspen, CO, the only U.S. event prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

NorAm Cup Circuit Begins and Ends in U.S.

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (Nov. 11) –The NorAm Cup circuit, one level below the Audi FIS World Cup, kicks off the season in Colorado at Loveland and Aspen. The eight stop series will wrap up March 14-18 in New England for the finals.

The NorAm Cup circuit is poised to be very exciting this year with young guns of the sport competing season long for the NorAm Cup overall titles.

The series begins in Loveland and Aspen, CO on Nov. 30. The men and women are scheduled to compete in two GS races and two slalom races.

The circuit is comprised of eight series stopping at nine different locations. The locations include Loveland, CO, Aspen, CO, Lake Louise, AB, Panorama, BC, Val St Come, QC, Sunday River, ME, Mont Ste Anne, QC, Burke, VT, and Waterville Valley, NH.

"USSA and the NorAm committee are excited to kick off the 2010 NorAm series. I think we have great partnerships with the sites hosting the events," USSA NorAm Coordinator Karen Korfanta said. "All the sites are gearing up for the NorAm winter season and having the new sites will be exciting."

Burke Mountain will kick off the series of races with the speed events, the super G and the super combined.

According to Dick Andross, chief of the race organizing committee, Burke Mountain is excited to host the event.

"We are enthused to have the opportunity for Burke Mountain to host some of the best ski racers in North America. This is a huge event and we hope to draw a worthy crowd," said Andross. "We love ski racing and are thrilled to host such a high level of competition. We can't wait see these competitors racing on our Big Dipper Trail!"

There will be a day off between venues on March 16 and the races pick up again on the 17 for GS and slalom.

The overall titles will be claimed at Burke, VT and Waterville Valley, NH this coming March. For results and schedule details go to www.fis-ski.com.

NorAm Cup Circuit Schedule
Nov. 30 – Dec. 3 – Loveland, CO/Aspen, CO
Dec. 7 – 11 – Lake Louise, AB
Dec. 13 – 18 – Panorama, BC
Jan. 2 -3 – Val St. Come, QC
Jan. 4 -7 – Sunday River, ME
Jan. 5 -6 – Mont Ste. Anne, QC
Feb. 21 – Mar. 1 – Aspen, CO
Mar. 14 – 18 – Burke, VT/Waterville Valley, NH

Miller, Ligety Set for Levi Slalom

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

LEVI, Finland (Nov. 11) – Following solid training blocks in Switzerland, Austria, Germany and now Tarnaby, Sweden, two-time Audi FIS Alpine World Cup overall champion Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) is set to open his World Cup season this weekend along side Soelden podium finisher Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) when World Cup action returns to Levi, Finland.

It will be Miller's first start since the February 2009 Audi FIS Alpine World Championships, yet he enters with momentum from last year's second place finish in Levi, his first slalom podium since December of 2004.

Live timing is available at www.fis-ski.com starting at 4 a.m. ET Sunday with first run action followed by the second run at 7 a.m. ET. Universal Sports will broadcast the race at 10 a.m. ET on their 24-hour TV network and on-demand streaming will be available at www.UniversalSports.com following each run.

Also starting for the U.S. Ski Team are Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV), Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH) and Nolan Kasper (Warren, VT). It will be the first World Cup start for Burke Mountain's Kasper, who earned the slot by winning an inter squad race held in Saas Fee. Kasper was third in an August slalom in New Zealand behind top World Cup athletes Felix Neureuther of Germany and Matias Hargin of Sweden.

"We have had incredible training blocks all the way back to Saas Fee before Soelden," said men's technical Head Coach Rudi Soulard. "Ted is really strong right now and so is Jit. Bode has been making some good runs and has a good plan for this weekend."

Following Soelden, where Ligety opened the season with a podium for the third consecutive year, the Team trained at Haus im Ennstal, Austria before moving to an indoor facility at Wittenberg, Germany.

"Wittenberg was perfect because the snow is consistent and the guys are able to get in a lot of runs," said Soulard. "It's also good because it's pretty flat so they can work on carrying their speed across the flats, which is what they'll need to do on Sunday."

For the second straight year, the Team is doing their final race prep in Tarnaby, located in the northern region of Sweden, which has similar light conditions to Levi. Daylight hours at this close proximity to Arctic Circle are between late morning and early afternoon, but the Team is able to train at night under the lights in Tarnaby.

"For sure, light is always a factor at Levi and the second run is under the lights, but for slalom you can see everything," said Soulard. "Tarnaby is perfect because it's quiet, the people are very relaxed and we have the entire slope to ourselves. Plus, the slope is injected so it's hard and grippy just like it will be in Levi."

Following Levi, the men return to Colorado for training at Copper Mountain, Vail and Loveland prior to the Audi Birds of Prey Race Week set for Dec. 4-6 in Beaver Creek, CO, the lone men's World Cup stop in the U.S. prior to the February Olympics in Vancouver.

Chat Live With Lindsey Vonn

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

VAIL, CO (Nov. 10) – U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) ski racers coast-to-coast will have an opportunity to chat live with World Champion Lindsey Vonn Nov. 20 from her home in Vail. The two-time Audi FIS Alpine World Cup overall champion will hold a live and interactive online kids press conference: "Epic Kids - Live with Lindsey" from 5:00-6:00 p.m. MT at www.LindseyIsEpic.com/Live.

Between World Cup races in Austria and Finland, Vonn has been training at her home mountain of Vail in preparation for the World Cup race season and her lone U.S. appearance Nov. 28-29 at the Aspen Winternational. The Nov. 20 "Live with Lindsey" Webcast is an opportunity for young USSA racers and their parents to ask questions and participate in a live conversation with Vonn to find out everything they’ve always wanted to know about the 25-year-old champion.

The Webcast will be an hour-long online show broadcast at www.LindseyIsEpic.com/Live. Young racers and their parents can watch the show live on their computers on Friday, Nov. 20 and participate in the press conference with pre-submitted video questions via Facebook and YouTube or with written questions posted on Facebook. The show will be recorded and available for viewing after the Nov. 20 airing. The "Epic Kids – Live with Lindsey" show will be one of the first events of its kind to integrate the latest social media tools and a new video platform to connect kids with a sports hero in an interactive, live event.

Young athletes or parents should record their video questions for Vonn in advance, posting the video to either the "Lindsey is Epic" Facebook fan page or YouTube channel by midnight, Nov. 17. For complete details and instructions on how to submit a video or a question, or for the terms and conditions, visit www.LindseyIsEpic.com/Live.

Racers whose video question is aired during the live online show will win a children’s Epic Season Pass for unlimited, unrestricted skiing or riding this winter season at Vail Resorts’ five mountain resorts. After submitting a videotaped question, fans should post a status update on the "Lindsey is Epic" Facebook fan page to be entered for the chance to win an Epic Pass.

For more information, visit www.LindseyIsEpic.com/Live.

Ligety featured on NBC's Last Call Wednesday

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

LOS ANGELES, CA (Nov. 3) – Direct from a podium at the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup opener in Soelden, Austria, Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) will be featured Wednesday on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly.

The profile, which Ligety filmed last spring, will air at 1:35 a.m. ET and will be available online after the airdate at http://www.nbc.com/Last_Call_with_Carson_Daly/

Ligety is currently training with the U.S. Ski Team in Europe in preparation for a Nov. 15 World Cup slalom in Levi, Finland. It will be the second stop before the tour swings to North America for speed races in Lake Louise, Alberta over Thanksgiving weekend, followed by the Audi Birds of Prey race week in Beaver Creek, CO.

The segment will profile "Shred's" rise to his breakthrough combined gold medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino and follow him through his 2008 World Cup giant slalom title and 2009 World Championships GS bronze medal. An underdog going into 2006, Ligety has risen to become one of the most talented technical skiers in the world.

The segment is part of a string of late night appearances for U.S. Ski Team athletes as Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY) was featured on Last Call on May 27 and Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien last week.

Snow Flies on Birds of Prey

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

BEAVER CREEK, CO (Oct. 29) – Well before the recent snow storm hit the Colorado Rockies, the race crew at Beaver Creek had the guns blasting the Audi Birds of Prey slope ensuring incredible conditions for the Dec. 4-6 Audi FIS Alpine World Cup event.

"Early snow and cold temperatures have come right at the start of the traditional snowmaking period and give the Beaver Creek team a great head start in the preparation of the Birds of Prey race course," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Vice President, Events Calum Clark. "The buzz of excitement can be felt throughout the Birds of Prey family, from race workers and volunteers to U.S. Ski Team athletes and coaches."

Beaver Creek snowmaker Eric Borre checks the Flyway on the upper part of the Birds of Prey race course. The resort opens Nov. 25 with the Audi Birds of Prey race week set for Dec. 4-6. (Beaver Creek Resort)

Harnessing that excitement is two-time Birds of Prey downhill podium finisher Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT), who has received the green light from U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Medical Director Richard Quincy to begin his on-snow preparation following a double knee scope in early summer. Nyman will travel to Colorado on Nov. 1 with teammate TJ Lanning (Park City, UT) to begin training for the start of World Cup speed season.

"There's nothing like racing in Beaver Creek," said Nyman. "It's our time to shine on our race hill. And thanks to the work that NBC and Universal Sports have done, it gets bigger and bigger each year. With this being an Olympic year, it should be especially exciting."

As the only men's World Cup stop in America prior to the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Birds of Prey provides the best opportunity for U.S. fans to see the U.S. Ski Team and the world's top racers prior to the Feb. 12 Opening Ceremonies.

"Beaver Creek is the most well rounded hill on the World Cup circuit," said Nyman. "From jumps, to steeps to high speed turns, there's nothing like racing Birds. It also probably compares closest to the Olympic hill at Whistler more than any other World Cup. It's going to be a good tune up."

American men own 15 podiums at Beaver Creek since 2003 with Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) accounting for three of those victories, plus an additional two more top-three finishes. Miller plans to race in Beaver Creek en route to what he hopes to be his fourth Olympic Winter Games. Olympic combined champion Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) has added three Birds podiums to the tally including a second in last winter's giant slalom.

"We're taking advantage of every opportunity that Mother Nature provides to ensure that the Birds of Prey racecourse is in outstanding condition when the world arrives in Beaver Creek for the 2009 Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week," explained Michael Imhof, Vice President of Sales and Operations for the Vail Valley Foundation. "Our partners at Vail Resorts are among the best in the world at preparing race courses and I have no doubt that this fact will again be reflected with a superb week of racing on Birds of Prey."

The Audi Birds of Prey downhill will air Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC with replay Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. ET on Versus followed by super combined at 5 p.m. ET. Versus will also air giant slalom on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. ET.

Additionally Universal Sports will stream the super combined and giant slalom live at www.UniversalSports.com.

2009 Audi Birds of Prey Schedule (all times local)
Thursday, Dec. 3
5:30 p.m. MT: Public Bib Presentation and U.S. Ski Team autograph signing

Friday, Dec, 4
11 a.m. MT: Super Combined - downhill, 2:30 p.m. Super Combined - slalom

Saturday, Dec. 5
11 a.m. MT: Downhill

Sunday, Dec. 6
9:45 a.m. MT: Giant Slalom run one, 12:45 p.m. Giant Slalom run two

For complete information on the Audi Birds of Prey Race Week, check out www.bcworldcup.com.

Vonn Lights Up Tonight Show

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

BURBANK, CA (Oct. 29) - Two-time World Champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) lit up the stage Wednesday night on NBC's The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. Sitting between the late night icon and star actor Chris O'Donnell, Vonn chatted about the upcoming Olympics, her family of cows in Austria and driving her U.S. Ski Team Audi on the German autobahn. Check out the clips:

Part One

Part Two

Next stop for Vonn is Vail, CO for on snow training prior to the Nov. 14 Audi FIS World Cup slalom in Levi, Finland followed by the Aspen Winternational set for Thanksgiving weekend in Aspen, CO.

Vonn on Tonight Show with Conan Wednesday

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

BURBANK, CA (Oct. 27) – Two-time Audi FIS Alpine World Cup overall champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) joins actor Chris O'Donnell and musical guest Uncle Kracker Wednesday to highlight NBC's The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.

The program airs at 11:35 p.m. ET on NBC.

Directly off the plane from the World Cup opener in Soelden, Austria Vonn's brief stop in Burbank continues her incredible alpine skiing promotional tour that began last March with her first of many appearances on NBC's TODAY Show.

In between, she's made stops in Boston, New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis and San Francisco signing autographs, attending the Emmy's, touring the set of Law and Order and even throwing out the first pitch at the famed Wrigley Field.

A World Champion in skiing and time management, Vonn hasn't sacrificed her training and maintains a rigorous work out schedule regardless of geographic location. The hard work paid off as she matched her 2008 result with a ninth place in the opening Soelden, Austria World Cup giant slalom last weekend.

Up next is a training block in Vail, CO prior to flying to Levi, Finland, site of Vonn's inaugural World Cup slalom victory, for the second stop on the World Cup "white circus." The lone U.S. stop is set for Thanksgiving weekend with the Aspen Winternational in Aspen, CO.

Episode highlights, including Vonn's segment will be available after Wednesday's show at http://www.tonightshowwithconanobrien.com/.

Ligety 3rd Straight Soelden Podium

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

SOELDEN, Austria (Oct. 25) - Olympic champion Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) kicked off the 2010 Olympic season in a huge way as he shredded his way to a second-place podium finish during the Audi FIS World Cup opener in Soelden Sunday. It marked the third year in a row Ligety has finished on the podium in Soelden.

Ted Ligety happy after a second-place finish in Soelden (Tom Kelly/USSA)

"This is the toughest year I've raced in Soelden. It hasn't been that many years, but today was super bumpy and pretty variable snow. I was psyched to make it down and get second, so it was definitely a good day," Ligety said. "I'm super psyched with how I am skiing and it's a good way to start out the season."

Ligety, who also finished the first run in second was flanked by the Swiss on both sides of the podium. Defending World Cup GS champion Didier Cuche won by .60 seconds and reigning GS World Champion Carlo Janka finished third, trailing .35 behind.

"Soelden is always a little different every year just because it's the first race of the year and you don't really know how fast you're skiing. You have to psych yourself up all that much more because you have no idea if you're fast or not, but luckily I was able to step up and have good races," Ligety said. "I felt like I was skiing great. I still had some mistakes, but everyone has mistakes every run, so it's not too big of a deal there."

It was the first race back for Ligety who suffered a late season knee injury in March 2009. Ligety made an incredibly swift recovery thanks to hours spent rehabilitating at the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association's Center of Excellence in Park City, UT over the summer.

"The spring was definitely the most boring I've had in a while. I was basically immobile for about six weeks and then headed straight into rehab full time," Ligety said. "It's great to have a facility like that - it's pretty key, especially when we get injured. But it's also great to have a place where everything we need for dryland training is taken care of."

The U.S. Ski Team's Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV) almost pushed into the second run, finishing 31st - one spot ahead of World Cup rookie Tommy Ford (Bend, OR), skiing his first World Cup. Jitloff missed the cut by two-tenths with Ford .06 behind his teammate.

"Jitloff's been skiing a lot better than he performed today.," Men's Alpine Head Coach Sasha Rearick said. "He was expecting more, he wasn't just focused on what he needs to do to ski fast. We're going to go back and work on that."

Smart racing was the key component of Ford's performance in his first World Cup that had Rearick excited about where the young athlete will go.

"Tommy Ford, I'll tell you what, that was a hell of a performance. First World Cup and he came out and skied in the race just like he does in training," Rearick said. "He did get tossed around once in the chop and got off line on three gates, but he was smart on the delays and in the next seven gates I think he skied better than anyone else in the race. To be able to play forward like that at 20 years of age and in your first World Cup is a tremendous performance."

According to Rearick, being able to race without trying too hard was what got Ford on the cusp of qualifying for the second run.

"The only thing I said to Tommy today, and the coaching staff has said it for a while, is to just go out there and ski," Rearick said. "Some guys want to go to race - they want to put more effort and put in that something extra. But when you have to compete on your biggest day, you have to try less hard. He did that today and I am very proud of what he did."

With the first World Cup of the season completed, the Men's Alpine Team will stay in Europe to train for races in Levi, Finland.

"It's kind of a busy schedule," said Ligety. "But it's fun. We have a good group of guys on the Team and our coaches are a lot of fun to work with, so I'm looking forward to it."

The next GS of the season will be in Beaver Creek at the Audi Birds of Prey, when the World Cup circuit converges on the Colorado Rockies for the only three days of alpine action in the U.S. prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 AUDI FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP
Soelden, Austria - Oct. 25, 2009
Men's Giant Slalom

1. Didier Cuche, Switzerland, 2:21.45
2. Ted Ligety, Park City, UT, 2:22.05
3. Carlo Janka, Switzerland, 2:22.40
4. Massimilliano Blardone, Italy, 2:22.41
5. Benjamin Raich, Austria, 2:22.90
6. Kjetil Jansrud, Norway, 2:23.27
7. Jean-Baptiste Grange, France, 2:23.87
8. Davide Simoncelli, Italy, 2:24.03
9. Jean-Philippe Roy, Canada, 2:24.08
10. Cyprien Richard, France, 2:24.13
-
31. Tim Jitloff, Reno, NV, 1:13.34
32. Tommy Ford, Bend, OR, 1:13.40
37. Jake Zamansky, Aspen, CO, 1:14.08
54. Warner Nickerson, Gilford, NH, 1:16.06
# # #

Ligety and his U.S. Ski Team coaches, staff, VP, Athletics Luke Bodensteiner, and USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt celebrate after a great World Cup finish. (Tom Kelly/USSA)

USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt cheers Ted Ligety on in Soelden. (Tom Kelly/USSA)

Ted Ligety: Fun Facts

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

SOELDEN, Austria (Oct. 25) - Ted Ligety (Park CIty, UT) grew up ski racing on the Park City Ski Team, motivated as a youngster by the great stars of the sport who competed in the America's Opening World Cup. The Olympic combined champion continues to be one of the best in the world in giant slalom. Here's a few fun facts about Ted Ligety.

Ted Ligety Fun Facts

Grew up racing on the Park City Ski Team
Won Olympic alpine combined gold in Torino at the age of 21
Won the 2008 season GS title in the Audi FIS World Cup
Battled 2009 champion Didier Cuche down to the wire last year
Second in Soelden was his third straight podium in the annual Audi FIS World Cup opener
It was the 17th podium of his World Cup career
He has four World Cup wins, all in GS
His last win was in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia last Feb. 28
His first win came in Yongpyong, Korea in March, 2006

Ligety Shreds to 2nd in Opening Run

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

SOELDEN, Austria (Oct. 25) - Ted Ligety shredded his way to second in the first run as the Audi FIS World Cup opened for the men in Soelden Sunday. Swiss Didier Cuche, starting first, is the first run leader with a .36 second margin over Ligety. The American absolutely tore up the top of the course, but touched down twice on the steep top pitches. Despite those bobbles, he carried the fastest time through the first two intermediate timing marks, but could not match Cuche's perfection on the rolly flats at the bottom. Second run is set for 7:45 a.m. ET and will be carried live on UniversalSports.com.

The U.S. Ski Team's Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV) almost snuck into the second run, finishing 31st - one spot ahead of World Cup rookie Tommy Ford (Bend, OR), skiing his first World Cup. Jitloff missed the cut by two-tenths.

Ted Ligety talks to a film crew in the finish of the Audi FIS World Cup opener. (U.S. Ski Team)

Vonn Sound in World Cup Opener

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

SOELDEN, AUT (Oct. 24) - Two-time World Cup overall champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), kicked off the Olympic season in Austria Saturday matching her previous year's results in Soelden with a solid ninth place GS finish in the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup opener. The finish will be the first of many as the World Champion looks to defend her title in 2010.

Lindsey Vonn charges down the Rettenbach Glacier in the Audi FIS World Cup opener. (Getty Images-AFP/Joe Klamar)

Finnish racer Tanja Poutianen won the race just .01 seconds ahead of Austrian Kathrin Zettel. Denise Karbon of Italy was third.

With over 5,000 fans at the glacier cheering her on, Vonn, who had finished eighth in the first run, skied consistently and was happy to match her Soelden finish from last season.

"I'm just out there trying to do the best I can every day," said Vonn. "In GS, all that's important is that I get to the finish and I get some points and stay ahead of the right people. It's in the speed disciplines that I go really fast and hopefully get some big points."

According to Vonn, while her finish was consistent, she has made strides in GS that should be visible throughout the season.

"I think I've made some progress with GS," she said. "You may not have seen it today, but I'm training well," Vonn said. "I just need to get some more miles on the equipment. But I definitely haven't lost anything. The equipment (Head) is working very well and if anything I think I'm skiing much better."

Vonn, who will head to her hometown of Vail, CO to train, has her sights set firmly on the slalom in Levi, Finland where she won her first World Cup slalom last season.

Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO) just made the finals finishing 30th in the first run. Schleper missed an opportunity to capitalize on having a clean course, but was happy to be in the points in 24th. After missing the 2007 and 2008 World Cup season's from injury and the birth of her son Lasse, Schleper is in outstanding shape and focused on making her fourth Olympics.

Olympic champion Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA), who finished 21st in the first run, was also looking poised to compete for a top finishing spot. After one of the best intervals near the start, Mancuso got caught up on a right turn and went out.

According to Mancuso, some equipment issues and confidence had a lot to do with how she finished Saturday. She switched skis between runs to a shorter pair hoping to capitalize on more mobility on the turny Soelden course.

"I'm still a little confused on what skis to race on. I have some longer ones and some shorter ones," Mancuso said. "The first run was solid, not super fast - it was OK. But I felt a lot better going into the second run. I went out and had a good start. But, it's tough to get confidence back after my season last year."

Austrian Nicole Hosp, who won the overall title three seasons ago, went down hard in the second run. According to the Austrian Team, she was airlifted to a hospital where she underwent right knee surgery and is expected to be out for the season. Hosp is the last women to win the World Cup overall title prior to Vonn's back-to-back titles.

The 2010 Audi FIS Alpine World Cup opener continues in Soelden on Sunday. Watch live on UniversalSports.com. Plus, you can follow updates and features on Twitter.com/usskiteam and Facebook.com/usskiteam.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 AUDI FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP
Soelden, Austria - Oct. 24, 2009
Women's Giant Slalom

1. Tanja Poutianen, Finland, 2:24.96
2. Kathrin Zettel, Austria, 2:24.97
3. Denise Karbon, Italy, 2:25.28
4. Tina Maze, Slovenia, 2:25.80
5. Maria Pietilae-Holmner, Sweden, 2:25.84
6. Anja Paerson, Sweden, 2:25.91
7. Kathrin Hoelzl, Germany, 2:26.16
8. Viktoria Rebensburg, Germany, 2:26.28
9. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 2:26.35
10. Camilla Alfieri, Italy, 2:26.43
-
24. Sarah Schleper, Vail, CO, 2:29.61
-
41. Resi Stiegler, Jackson Hole, WY, 1:17.09
51. Jessica Kelley, Starksboro, VT, 1:17.90
-
DNF1: Megan McJames, Park City, UT
DNF2: Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA
# # #

Lindsey Vonn, happy with her new equipment following the season opening World Cup in Soelden. (Tom Kelly/USSA)

Julia Mancuso following the World Cup in Soelden. (Tom Kelly/USSA)

Fog blankets the valley on a bright World Cup race day in Soelden. (Tom Kelly/USSA)

Fans show up in Austria to cheer the U.S. Team on. (Tom Kelly/USSA)