For Immediate Release
November 22, 2009
Media Contact: John Dakin
(970) 949-1999
BEAVER CREEK, Colorado—It’s full speed ahead for the Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week at Beaver as FIS Snow Control inspectors gave organizers the green light Saturday for the 2009 edition of racing.
The International Ski Federation (FIS) sends Snow Control inspectors to World Cup sites in advance of the competitions to ensure that racecourse conditions are acceptable. If course conditions and extended forecasts were not conducive to new snow or temperatures cold enough to make snow, the FIS would have the opportunity to move the competitions.
“Our partners at Vail Resorts have certainly made the most of the temperatures Mother Nature has provided,” explained Michael Imhof, Vice President of Sales and Operations for the Vail Valley Foundation. “We were starting to get concerned when we had the warm spell several weeks ago, but everything is on track for a great weekend of racing at the Audi Birds of Prey.”
Heading into the Saturday inspection, Chief of Course Greg Johnson estimated that snowmaking was approximately 85 percent complete, marking perhaps the best year-to-date effort ever. Dozing on the course should be complete to The Pumphouse by the end of the weekend, with similar work slated to be underway from The Pumphouse to the Golden Eagle jump. Snowmaking should be at 98 percent complete by Monday.
The 2009 Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week gets underway Wednesday, December 2, with Downhill Training. Competition kicks off Friday, December 4, with Super Combined, followed by the traditional Birds of Prey Downhill on Saturday, December 5. The weekend’s racing will conclude with Giant Slalom on Sunday, December 6.
The 2009 Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week at Beaver Creek is a project of the Vail Valley Foundation. For additional information on Birds of Prey, visit www.bcworldcup.com. For more information on the Vail Valley Foundation, check out www.vvf.org.
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For press inquiries please contact John Dakin with the Vail Valley Foundation at 970-949-1999.
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