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First training run Chamonix cancelled

Dumping down in Chamonix. We’re already one downhill and two super-g races behind schedule this winter. Supposed to catch up in Chamonix this week, but that’s not looking good at the moment…

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Some days you should forget about. Today’s one of those day.

Tough FIS rules

If anyone’s wondering about why Bode Miller has start number 46 in today’s downhill in Garmisch: At almost every world cup race there is a public draw. This means the top 15 guys have to show up the night before the race to get their start number in town and in front of a few tv cameras. It usually starts at 18.00, but all racers have to show up 17.45. Last night Bode showed at 17.50, and for that he is punished by the FIS and given bib 46. Is that too harsh? I think so. He was still in good time before he was getting his bib. Sometimes these bib draws take for ever. And the fact that he is ranked in the top 7 and the best guys come last at the bib draw, he was there possibly an hour before it was his time to get the bib. And today he has probably lost his chance of getting a good result.

Garmisch

Back where I stayed last year at world champs here in Garmisch. Rheinischen Hof is a nice place to with a very good atmosphere. Smithy is most happy about being able to drive the car all the way into the skiroom.

Next winter’s skis

Ref the talk about next year’s skis. We have been testing them a little this week. As you can see on the picture they’re a little longer and more narrow/less sidecut. For now there is a big difference compered to this years skis and it will never be the same,but I’m sure we will figure out more as we work on it.

Leaving Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is one worldcup weekend where I would love to do well this year. With all the sponsor we have there and all the media coming from Norway, it would be good to deliver great results. Also had my whole family there this year. But I’m leaving kitzbuhel far from happy about the way the weekend played out. Cancelled super g , a downhill that was only good half way down and a blue butt from landing on it in today’s slalom. Going with my brother to Italy to got some training done in Paganella. Shape up for next weekends races in Garmisch.

Only in Kitzbuhel

Thor is the view from my room. It’s dumping snow and it has been for the last three days. Unbelievable that they were able to pull off a race today. Only an organization like the one here in kitzbuhel could have done it. And this is also the only race important enough for the sport that they would push so hard to get it done. Even though it wasn’t a real kitzbuhel downhill today. Except for the last part that was still kitzbuhel standard. And that’s were the king of kitzbuhel Didier Cuche won the race! That makes him the most winning racer ever at the downhill here. And that was also his last chance as he is retires after this season. So two winners today. The organizers here en Didier. I was winning on the top, but u gotta be fast all the way down…

Baby skis

Since the downhill got cancelled today I’m off to do some slalom training. So no long boards today. I gotta take those baby skis on the left side.

In one way Kitzbuhel is one of the most uncomfortable places on earth for a downhiller. It’s scary! On the other side the hotels here are great + Red Bull has built an unbelievable start house for us. A bar with drinks and food on the first floor and an athletes lounge with spinning bikes and televisions on the second floor. That’s the way it should be on all world cup starts;)

Kitzbuhel time

It’s that time of the year again. Driving into Kitzbuhel today my heart started beating a little faster right away. And now after watching last years race on video its beating even faster. First training run is on tomorrow. Excited to see what the course looks like this year. There’s more snow then I’ve seen in many years. It’s gonna be a crazy week. Exciting, scary and cool. Lots of people and everyone in the ski industry represented. Lets get it started.