Spanish Maria Jose Rienda gives Comeback in Ofterschwang
Maria Jose Rienda, the great double winner of the two giant slalom races 2006 in Ofterschwang, gives her comeback in the Allgaeu after a nearly two year injury break. In March 2006 the 32-years-old from Granada raced her last World Cup event. She finished the season 2005/2006 as second in the World Cup giant slalom ranking before she tore her cruciate ligament in the knee in a training session in the USA in November 2006.
Picture was taken at her win in Ofterschwang February, 03th 2006
Everything is set - the Ski World Cup in Ofterschwang can begin!
 On  Saturday the World Cup races in Ofterschwang 2008 will start with a giant slalom. The slope is in a good condition and the teams have already arrived. At 2 p.m. the course setting took place and at 6.30 p.m. the public bib draw for the first group giant slalom is on the agenda.
Tomorrow the best giant slalom racer will start the first run at 10.30 a.m. Favorites for the win are Italian Denise Karbon, Elisabeth Goergl from Austria, Manuela Moelgg (ITA) or Olympic Champion Julia Mancuso (USA). In addition the double winner of 2006, Spanish Maria Jose Rienda Contreras, plans her comeback for this race.
But also the German women Kathrin Hoelzl and Maria Riesch will try to be in the top and want, just like the other German racer, to get a good result in front of their home crowd. The many expected fans will provide a great atmosphere at the Ofterschwanger Horn.
Here is the time table for Saturday, January 26th:
10.30 a.m.: 1st run giant slalom, ski stadium Ofterschwang
1.30 p.m.: 2nd run giant slalom, ski stadium Ofterschwang
afterwards presentation of the successful athletes, ski stadium Ofterschwang
6.30 p.m.: Official Prize giving ceremony Rathausplatz Sonthofen
afterwards Bib Draw for first group slalom, Rathausplatz Sonthofen
Looking forward to the World Cup in Ofterschwang
Just a few more days then the alpine Ski World Cup will come to the Allgaeu. On Saturday, January 26th a giant slalom will take place and on Sunday, January 27th a slalom is on the agenda. The conditions in the Allgaeu are great at the moment. Blue Sky, temperature below zero during the night - no wonder Karlheinz Faessler, President of the Organizing committee smiles: "Our course crew prepared a top slope." Already on Thursday afternoon Chief Secretary Stefan Huber said: "We are ready. It could get started right now."
After the Riesch triumph: Run for tickets in Ofterschwang
A few days before the Ski World Cup races in Ofterschwang begin the phones are ringing nearly non-stop at the ticket office in Ofterschwang. The World Cup win by Maria Riesch at the Super G on Monday in Cortina sparked a real run for tickets for the races at the coming weekend. Stefan Huber, Chief Secretary, decided therefore that more tickets for seating will be made available for the giant slalom on Saturday and the slalom on Sunday. "The ski fans in the Allgaeu are happy that the German girls could get to the podium this year in Ofterschwang and Maria Riesch has even chances to be on top in the Overall World Cup", said Huber. Also Maria Riesch is looking forward to the home races: "It is something really special to race in front of the home crowd. We hope for a lot fans who cheer for uns in giant slalom and slalom since we have had good results as a team in these specialties this year."
Races are safe
The Organizers in the small village in the Oberallgaeu with the population of 2.000 are speculating with about 15.000 fans at their fourth World Cup weekend after 1999, 2001 and 2006. Despite the mild temperatures of the last days the slope is in good condition. Markus Mayr from Kitzbuehel gave the 'green light' after the inspection of the World Cup course: "The snow is sufficient." The course at the Ofterschwanger Horn will now be finally prepared by the many volunteers until the weekend. Chief of Competition Florian Beck and Chief of Course Peter Pöppel want to use the predicted temperature drop on Wednesday to do some more work on the slope.
Social events at the World Cup - Free Entrance to the World Cup Party Tent
When the Ski World Cup will be visiting the Ofterschwanger Horn for the fourth time since 1999, 2001 and 2006 the expected 15.000 fans should not only be entertained by the athletes who will race for victories in giant slalom and slalom on January 26th and 27th. The Organizers also put together a great program of social events before, between and after the races.
In the ski stadium the experienced moderators Jens Zimmermann and Helmer Litzke provide good music and much more entertainment. The top part of the race can be followed by a big video wall and a small camera team will even produce an own stadium TV. If weather permitting some sky divers will fly into the stadium as well.
As in 2006 the official public bib draw and the prize giving ceremony will take place at the Rathausplatz in Sonthofen. Former World Cup racer Petra Haltmayr will play the role of the Good Luck fairy there.
More than 400 volunteers work for the World Cup
An event such the Ski World Cup in Ofterschwang wouldn't be possible without the engagement of volunteers. The Organizing Committee in Ofterschwang is very happy, that more than 400 volunteers registered to help during the preparation, realisation and deconstruction of the event.
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