Dear Skifriends,

it was a pleasure for us, to welcome you in the Allgaeu region. We host the top of the alpine Skisport now for the fourth time in Ofterschwang. Since the last World Cup 2006 we did everything possible to provide perfect conditions for another great World Cup Weekend. We were happy that we got the chance to  organize this event this year again. More than 95 athletes from 23 nations started in Ofterschwang. The best ski athletes of the world showed their best and brought an international flair to the Allgaeu region. More than 430 volunteers from the whole region took care of organizing a smooth event in all areas. We hope that you enjoyed your stay with us and that we could fulfill your expectations on a felicitous event and we are looking forward to see you again in the Allgäu region.

Warm regards
Karlheinz Fässler - President,    Stefan Huber - Secretary General
Ski-Worldcup Ofterschwang/Allgäu   Organizing Commitee e.V

The small village Ofterschwang with its population of 2.000 is "on the best way of becoming a classic event in the Ski World Cup." This is the opinion not only from the people in Ofterschwang but also from the FIS Marketing Director Christian Knauth himself. Also this weekend the World Cup venue in the Oberallgaeau presented itself from the best possible side. Altogether 15.000 spectators were on hand, a blue sky (at least on Saturday) and great races - that is the summary of Ofterschwang 2008.

The Austrian women dominated the races on both days. In the giant slalom they placed themselves directly behind the winner Denise Karbon on the spots two to four. And also on Sunday they had the winner with Marlies Schild and the third placed Nicole Hosp. Hosp built her lead in the Overall World Cup with her places two and three and has now 126 points more than American Lindsey Vonn.

Also the Officials and athletes were happy about the perfect prepared course. "We want to come back as soon as possible", said FIS Race Director Atle Skaardal. Also the Organizers in Ofterschwang were more than happy: "We are happy with the spectators and also with the organization", said Chief Secretary Stefan Huber. President Karlheinz Faessler, who will retire as Chief of the OK, didn't forget the 430 volunteers. "A World Cup here in this small village would not be possible without the engagement of the many volunteers."

Quotes after the slalom

	Marlies Schild: "For me it is the most important thing to ski well and have fun. Then the victories are coming for sure. I couldn't race safely in the final run because that is not possible. You can't do that in the world Cup."
	Therese Borssen: "I am really happy after the second place today because I was fourth a few times already this season. That gives me self confidence for the next races. It is a nice race here, a good course. Everything is good here. After my first run I was really going for it in the final and it paid off. I usually like it better flat but here I like the steep part as well. It's nice here."
	Nicole Hosp: "The Overall World Cup lead is nice but can be gone quick if you have a bad weekend like I had in Cortina. I am really happy about the third place and it is important that I took home the points yesterday and today. At the moment everything seems to be going well for me, but it is tough to make some predictions. Everything is so close together. You make one mistake and everything is over."

Marlies Schild wins slalom in Ofterschwang

Austrian Marlies Schild won the slalom in Ofterschwang in front of 7.500 spectators. Schild had already the lead after the first run and despite two mistakes in the lower part of the course she held her lead and won in 1:40,85 minutes. Therese Borssen came in second after being fourth after the first run and was in the end 0,42 seconds behind Schild. With the best run in the final, Nicole Hosp from Austria finished third and made the podium again after she reached the podium yesterday at the giant slalom.

Best German racer on Sunday was Maria Riesch from Partenkirchen, who finished in 8th place. Monika Bergmann had a great second run and came in 9th. Kathrin Hoelzl in 15th place, Fanny Chmelar as 18th and Carolin Fernsebner as 21st completed the good team result for the German Ski Federation. Susanne Riesch didn't finish her run.

Quotes after the first run of the slalom

Maria Riesch: (photo)

"I am not completely satisfied with my run. I had a good time in the top part but then I made a mistake again at the beginning of the steep part. But I kept fighting and stayed in the course. Overall I could have had a better result but we are all close together, if you take out Marlies Schild. I need to find a good mixture between attacking and skiing safe in the final. The slope is in a good condition."

Monika Bergmann:

"I will try to attack in the final. There is nothing else to do here. The Top 10 are my goal for sure. But I was far away from a real good run in the first run."

Lindsey Vonn:

"It's very hard to crash out here but there are a lot more races to come and I hope to make many points in the coming World Cups."

Marlies Schild leads after first run

Austrian Marlies Schild leads after the first run of the slalom at the Ski World Cup in Ofterschwang. Schild had a great run and is way ahead of second placed Veronika Zuzulova from Slovakia, who is 0,86 seconds behind. Tanja Poutiainen from Finland is third after the first run and is 0,95 seconds behind.

The other athletes on the spots behind are all close together. Maria Riesch, the best German after the first run, is in 8th place and is 1,34 seconds behind. Also Monika Bergmann (Place 12, +1,90), Kathrin Hölzl (20, + 2,62), Susanne Riesch (21, + 2,79), Carolin Fernsebner (22, + 3,03) and Fanny Chmelar (24, + 3,12) from the German Ski Federation qualified for the final run. Monika Springl, Nina Perner and Katharina Dürr didn't make the top 30.

The final of the slalom will start at 12.30 p.m. with six German women.

 

Slalom stars at start - first run to begin

At 09.30 a.m. the best slalom racer of the world will be at start in Ofterschwang and will show their strength between the gates. The course inspection of the athletes already took place and nothing stands in the way to start the first run, which Czech Sarka Zahrobska will open. The first fans already arrived alongside the slope and are looking forward to another exciting World Cup day.

Overall nine German women will be at start and try to show good performances in front of the great spectators in Ofterschwang.

The women of the Austrian Ski Federation had a bit of luck at the bib draw for the slalom on Sunday (9.30 a.m./12.30 p.m.). Marlies Schild got the early bib two and Nicole Hosp wears bib four. Sarka Zahrobska from the Czech Republic will open the race. Not very satisfied was Maria Riesch with her number: the women from Garmisch has the pretty late bib 14. "Nevertheless I want to forget my mistake from the giant slalom and want to ski a good slalom," said the 23-years-old. Overall 59 athletes from 21 countries are at start at the slalom. Nine German girls are among them. Alongside Riesch there are Monika Bergmann (bib 19), Kathrin Hölzl (22), Fanny Chmelar (27), Susanne Riesch (32), Katharina Dürr (34), Nina Perner (39), Monika Springl (40) und Carolin Fernsebner (44).

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