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Courchevel ends 30-year hiatus from World Cup
France and Italy were the hosts of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in the last week, both carrying out three events. While the Italian tour for the men in the Dolomites was again delivered at an exceptionally high level that has become the trademark of Val Gardena/Gröden and Alta Badia, the ladies were enjoying the French hospitality in the Savoie, along with great snow conditions. Following the snow and wind-affected cancellation of the rescheduled ladies' super-G race in Val d'Isère on Friday, the ladies completed a downhill and super combined over the weekend at the 2009 World Championship venue.
On Tuesday, the ladies' tour returned to Courchevel where it's only previous visit was in 1979, when Sweden's Ingemar Stenmark ran away with the giant slalom race. The ladies' slalom race was set on a different slope and was met with a great crowd reaching around 15'000 enthusiastic ski fans. The first ladies World Cup champion in Courchevel was Austria's Marlies Schield.
FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis stated: "Courchevel's debut on the ladies Audi FIS Alpine World Cup was nothing short of spectacular. From the public draw as part of the annual Ice Skating gala and free lift passes provided to 11'500 to access the slalom hill as well as the entire ski area after the race, the Organizing Committee has done its homework and put in place a memorable event in addition to a technically sound race."
Courchevel as a whole seemed to be on everybody's ‘A' list. "The town is great. There are a ton of people here, they're cheering loudly for every racer. I love the hill, it's perfect for slalom," said Lindsey Vonn who failed to finish the first run. "I'm sad that I didn't finish because I would have liked to do two runs here. I think I got a little lucky as far as the World Cup standings are concerned because Maria [Riesch] went out today as well."
Going onto the Christmas break, the overall World Cup lead is fully in American hands: Whilst Lindsey Vonn claimed the lead from Maria Riesch, Ted Ligety is now leading the men's rankings thanks to his impressive giant slalom hat trick in the three GS races held so far.
For more information, visit www.fisalpine.com