2017 Birds of Prey Program Book

BIRDS OF PREY

DEC 01 SUPER G | DEC 02 DOWNHILL | DEC 03 GIANT SLALOM #BCWORLDCUP | BCWORLDCUP.COM

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EVENT PROGRAM

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to Beaver Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Schedule of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 All in the Family for Ligety, Nyman . . . . . . 10 The Comeback Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Racers To Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 A Quicker Carve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Previous Birds of Prey Winners . . . . . . . . 27 Getting to the Races . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Thanks to our Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Photo by Eric Schramm, courtesy of USSA.

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beavercreek.com

WELCOME TO BEAVER CREEK Dear Ski Racing Fans,

VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

It’s an historic year at the 2017 Audi FIS Birds of Prey World Cup race

Andy Arnold

Beth Howard

Directors Emeritus

week. Since 1997, Beaver Creek has played host to one of the most

John Arnold

Al Hubbard

Adam Aron

intense and exciting weekends of ski racing on the circuit. Long before

Hans Berglund

B.J. Hybl

Marlene Boll

the Birds of Prey course opened, however, the Vail Valley was an

Judy Berkowitz

Mike Imhof

Bjorn Erik Borgen

epicenter of the ski racing world.

Sam Bronfman

Chris Jarnot

Berry Craddock

It was in March of 1967 that our valley hosted its first World Cup.

Susan Campbell

George Johnson

Indeed, it was one of the first FIS Ski World Cups ever to be held. On a

Steve Coyer

Alexia Juschak

Jack Crosby, In Memoriam

bright spring day, Frenchman Jean-Claude Killy and Canadian Nancy

Andy Daly

Mark Kogan

Greene took top honors in a giant slalom held on Vail’s newly-minted

Ron Davis

Doug Lovell

international race course. It was a major milestone for ski racing in the

Matt Donovan

Sarah Millett

United States and the world.

Bill Esrey

Ellen Moritz

Johannes Faessler

Kaia Moritz

Vail and Beaver Creek. We celebrate the men and women who grace

Tim Finchem

Bobby Patton

our slopes with their feats of athletic prowess, as well as well the

Steve Friedman

Michael Price

organizers, volunteers, and partners who have built this event into the

John Garnsey

Eric Resnick

amazing spectacle it is today.

Margie Gart

Dick Rothkopf

Donna Giordano

Ken Shanzer

Sheika Gramshammer

Mike Shannon

This year we celebrate more than 50 years of ski racing heritage in

We also welcome back year three of the EverBank America’s Winter Opening. With this event we officially ring in the new winter season, and we animate Beaver Creek Village with concerts, the Beers of Prey beer tasting, activities and festivities throughout Beaver Creek as we

Mike Herman

Stanley Shuman Rod Slifer Ann Smead, Chair

surround and complement our race week.

Hap Stein

On behalf of the team at the Vail Valley

Kristin Tang

Foundation, our incredible volunteers, our

Fred Tresca

partners, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek

Stewart Turley

Resort, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard

Mary Webster

the International Ski Federation, the United States Forest Service

Betsy Wiegers

and everyone who works

Gary Woodworth

tirelessly to put together this memorable event, we welcome you to World Cup in the Rockies.

Sincerely,

Mike Imhof President & CEO, Photo by Eric Schramm, courtesy of US Ski

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President Gerald R. Ford, In Memoriam Harry Frampton, Chairman Emeritus Pete Frechette, In Memoriam John Galvin, In Memoriam George Gillett Pepi Gramshammer Steve Haber Martha Head William Hybl Elaine Kelton Kent Logan Peter May Doug Rippeto Oscar Tang

GIVE YOUR MORTGAGE A COMPETITIVE EDGE OFFICIAL BANK OF THE AUDI FIS BIRDS OF PREY WORLD CUP

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everbank.com/mountain EverBank® is a division of TIAA, FSB. © 2017 TIAA, FSB. TIAA, FSB NMLS ID: 399805. 17SPS6301

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THURSDAY, NOV. 30 Athlete Press Conference 4-5pm, Beaver Creek Village

U.S. Ski Team Autograph Session Presented by The Steadman Clinic 4-5pm, Gorsuch, Beaver Creek Village

Warren Miller’s Line of Descent

80’s Ski Welcome Party with Ted Ligety

5pm & 8pm, Vilar Performing Arts Center vilarpac.org for tickets

Live Music, Pumphouse Bar, Ted Ligety Poster Signing, Giveaways, and Fireworks Finale Extravaganza 4-7pm, Beaver Creek Village

SATURDAY, DEC. 2 Men’s Downhill Race

FRIDAY, DEC. 1

11am, Birds of Prey Racecourse Awards ceremony immediately follows

Men’s Super G Race

Birds of Prey Way

10:45am, Birds of Prey Racecourse Awards ceremony immediately follows

Birds of Prey Way Live Music, Kettle Curling, Exhibitors, Pumphouse Bar, and Giveaways 12-6pm, Beaver Creek Village

Live Music, Kettle Curling, Exhibitors, Pumphouse Bar, and Giveaways 12-6pm, Beaver Creek Village

Beers of Prey | $35

3-4pm, Beaver Creek Village

Presented by Oskar Blues Beer Tasting including Limited Special Releases, Fan Favorite Brews, and Fun Food Pairings 3-6pm, Beaver Creek Village bcworldcup.com for tickets

F.A.C.

Warren Miller’s Line of Descent

Live NBC Press Conference with Bode Miller

Friday Afternoon Club: Live Music, Games, Korbel Champagne Toast, and MORE! 3-6pm, Beaver Creek Village

8pm, Vilar Performing Arts Center vilarpac.org for tickets

Photo by Logan Robertson

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SUNDAY, DEC. 3 Men’s Giant Slalom Race Run 1: 9:45am, Birds of Prey Racecourse Run 2: 12:45pm, Birds of Prey Racecourse Awards ceremony immediately follows

Birds of Prey Way Exhibitors & Pumphouse Bar 10am-3pm, Beaver Creek Village *All events subject to change

CELEBRATE IT ALL. FROM THE PEAK TO THE POP. ®

Photo ©Logan Robertson

C E L E B R AT E R E S P O N S I B LY.

korbel.com | responsibility.org ©2017 F. Korbel & Bros., Guerneville, Sonoma County, CA. Producers of fine California méthode champenoise champagnes for 135 years. KORBEL is a registered trademark. Birds of Prey is a registered trademark of the Vail Valley Foundation.Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc. Instagram is a registered trademark of Instagram, Inc. All rights reserved.

All in the family for

LIGETY, NYMAN

American alpine standouts Ted Ligety and Steven Nyman find themselves with much more in common heading into the 2017-’18 season than in years past. Both men have their sights set on a fourth Winter Olympics appearance this coming February in PyeongChang, South Korea, and also, each of them is doing so while rehabbing injuries. Along with that, both of them are facing one of the toughest challenges life can offer: the daunting task of new parenthood Ligety, still the youngest American man to win an Olympic alpine

to see how curious she is. It’s a lot of work, though, but my wife is

skiing medal, told CNN recently that he is softer, more emotional and

amazing and carries a heavy load when I can’t help.”

more focused than he was before the birth of his son, Jax, in June.

The pair also finds camaraderie with teammate Andrew Weibrecht,

“It’s a different mindset, for sure, a different release,” the five-time

head coach Sasha Rearick, and head technical coach Forest Carey,

giant slalom world champion says of fatherhood. “I feel I need to be

who have also recently become parents.

on top of what I’m doing in training because I want to go home, so I’m definitely focusing more because of that.”

Fatherhood is not the only thing contributing to Ligety and Nyman’s cheerful demeanor these days. They are back on course, able to race

Nyman also finds off-snow solace in his daughter, Nell, who was also

again after season-ending injuries forced them to sit out most of last

born in June. “She helps me get my mind off of racing,” he said. “Nell

year’s World Cup season.

is so cute and wild! It is a lot of fun to see her personality blossom and

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Photos courtesy of Ted Ligety & Steven Nyman

Last January, after multiple cortisone injections, tests and

his ACL this past January, he is positive about his progression as the

consultations in search of a cure for back problems that had been

season begins.

causing him discomfort for more than a year, Ligety had surgery to fix three herniated discs in his lower back. It ended his defense of the giant slalom world title, an event in which he had reigned supreme since 2011. It was an especially difficult blow after returning

“This is by far the hardest comeback I’ve tried to make, especially due to the timeline,” said Nyman, who made the trip to Lake Louise, Alberta, with his team but is keeping expectations in check.

to snow for just three World Cups early in the 2017 season following

“I had some great training in Copper Mountain and some bad

reconstructive knee surgery in January 2016 for a torn anterior

training,” he said regarding recent training in Colorado. “When I have

cruciate ligament.

the great days, I feel super positive about my trajectory, and then the

“In hindsight, I should’ve stopped earlier and got surgery earlier,” he conceded. Fighting debilitating back pain, which he describes as a “wire cheese cutter” running from his back down to his foot, also took a toll mentally.

“It weighs on your skiing, too,” said Ligety, who last won a World Cup race in October 2015. “When you’re going out training, you’re trying

next day I can feel completely lost! It’s a pretty wild roller coaster, but to deal with it I limit my expectations. … There isn’t pain in my knee, but it is lacking power and some strength, so I want to feel it out on one of the easier courses on tour.”

Ligety noted being a ski racer is “a good job,” which makes it easy to find motivation to grind his way back into fighting form.

to avoid the pain. Then you start to ski a bit differently to avoid those

“It’s lucky for me that none of my injuries have been groundbreaking,”

issues and, two months later, you’re wondering why you suck.

said Ligety, who will be joined by his family on tour this year. “There’s

“Being healthy is so good because you can get correct motions. That fuels the skiing and fuels the confidence and all that sort of stuff.”

While Nyman hasn’t had as much time yet back on snow after

always been a clear pathway back, it’s just a matter of pushing through it.”

STORY BY LISA ANTONUCCI

suffering a complete tear to his MCL and PCL and a partial tear to

Photos by Jonathan Selkowitz

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TED LIGETY Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Five-time World Champion Photo: Townsend Bessent/Vail Daily

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The Comeback Kids TIMING MAY BE RIGHT FOR STRONG PERFORMANCE IN PYEONGCHANG FROM U.S. MEN’S SKI TEAM As the world turns its attention this February to PyeongChang,

push my skiing,” he recently told NBC Sports. “If I can keep on this

Korea, and the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, the U.S. men’s alpine

trajectory I’m on right now, I know I can ski fast.”

ski team is focused on exceeding the success it enjoyed in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. Ted Ligety earned his second Olympic gold medal in Sochi, while Andrew Weibrecht also collected his second piece of Olympic hardware. However, serious injuries have put the Americans at risk of missing out on a men’s alpine medal for the first time since 1998.

The two-time Olympic champion won the combined event at the 2006 Games in Torino, Italy, and in 2014, he became the first American man to win GS gold and the first in U.S. history to win two Olympic gold medals in alpine skiing.

“When I was winning races a couple of years ago, that’s the level

In 2016, the U.S. men went a full ‘calendar year’ without a World Cup win in any discipline for the first time since 1999. Travis Ganong broke that skid in January, 2017, with a downhill win at GarmischPartenkirchen, Germany, but that same day, three-time Olympian

these guys have surpassed. I have to go beyond [that],” said Ligety, who is second only to the great Ingemar Stenmark (46 wins) in men’s World Cup victories, with 24. “I’ve got to raise my game for sure.”

Steven Nyman suffered a season-ending crash. Ligety hasn’t won

Fast is the name of the game as well for three-time Olympian

in two years, his seasons cut short by a knee injury in 2016 and back

Nyman, who has been the top American downhiller since Sochi.

surgery in 2017, and veteran Bode Miller announced his retirement

Nyman suffered a complete tear to his MCL and PCL and a partial

this fall, signaling the end of an American ski-racing era.

tear to his ACL this past January, but once he returns to the World

Never fear, says U.S. alpine team director Patrick Riml, who noted Team USA is more than capable of matching its Sochi success in PyeongChang, and could even surprise with more spectacular performances.

“Yes, we’ve had some struggles with injuries with two of our team leaders – Ted Ligety and Steven Nyman – but both are making strong comebacks,” said Riml. “We also have strong potential from some of the younger guys including Jared Goldberg, who won a FIS downhill in Copper Mountain [earlier in November] among a stacked international field, as well as Bryce Bennett and Tommy Biesemeyer, who have been skiing fast in their prep period training.”

Ligety, who underwent a microdisectomy on his back in January 2017, plans to be strong contender for gold in PyeongChang. He has good memories to draw on for South Korea, too, as it is where he captured his very first World Cup GS victory in 2006.

“I’m excited to have a year where I can be healthy and start to

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Cup circuit, he is likely to join the Olympic medal conversation. At 35, he’s not much older than the top European speed racers. In the Olympic test event in 2016, Nyman finished third in DH at the

Jeongseon Alpine Center in South Korea. Filled with big jumps

Weibrecht, who posted his most successful World Cup season in

and a lot of terrain, the newly developed course in Jeongseon fits

2016, starting with a Bronze at the 2015 Birds of Prey Super G and

perfectly within his skill set. According to Nyman, the Olympic

continuing on to earn a total of five top-5 finishes that season. He

course feels like a combination between the dry, grippy, buttery

followed it up with eight top-30 finishes in 2017.

smooth snow at Beaver Creek, Colorado, and the flow at Val Gardena, Italy.

Fellow downhiller Travis Ganong, 29, also could rack up points at any given World Cup. He’s won two World Cup events and had two additional podiums since 2014 and placed second in DH at the 2015 Vail/Beaver Creek World Championships. He has excelled on the big stage, placing fifth in his Olympic debut in the Sochi downhill and earning silver in DH at the 2015 Worlds.

Rounding out the U.S. men’s Olympic threat is two-time medalist,

Photos by Jonathan Selkowitz

“Andrew often shows up at big events and is looking to add another medal to his Olympic collection,” Riml noted.

In Vancouver in 2010, Weibrecht grabbed the Olympic super-G bronze medal and then in 2014, produced a truly inspirational run to claim silver. The result added his name to the elite two-time Olympic medalist club for American men, which includes with Miller, Ligety, Tommy Moe and Phil Mahre.

STORY BY LISA ANTONUCCI

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RACERS TO WATCH Ted Ligety

Age: 33 Hometown: Park City, Utah World Cup Wins: 25 Discipline titles: 5 GS overall titles, one in combined World Championships Medals: 7 Olympic Medals: 2 Birds of Prey Wins: 5 2015 Birds of Prey: SG/2, GS/DNF 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/28, SG/11, GS/1 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/42, SG/5, GS/1 2012 Birds of Prey: SG/4, GS/1 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/22, SG/DNF, GS/2, GS/1, SL/13 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF, GS/1 2009 Birds of Prey: SC/DNF, GS/4 2008 Birds of Prey: GS/2, SG/7 2007 Birds of Prey: SC/8, GS/4, SG/23

Dominik Paris

Age: 28 Hometown: Merano

BCWORLDCUP.COM | #BCWORLDCUP

Age: 26 Hometown: Courchevel World Cup Wins: 19 World Cup Podiums: 42 World Cup titles: 2 in combined World Championships Medals: 1 Olympic Medals: 1 2015 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF, GS/DNF 2014 Birds of Prey: SG/3, GS/2 2013 Birds of Prey: SG/18T, GS/5 2012 Birds of Prey: GS/5 2011 Birds of Prey: GS/9T, GS/4, SL/DNF

Steven Nyman

World Cup Wins: 8 World Cup Podiums: 20 World Championships Medals: 1 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/20, SG/13, GS/DNQ 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/4, SG/5 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/9, SG/DNF 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/29 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/49 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF 2009 Birds of Prey: DH/23, DH/36

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Alexis Pinturault

Age: 35 Hometown: Provo, Utah World Cup Wins: 3 World Cup podiums: 11 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/15, SG/35 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/3, SG/DNF 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/21, SG/37 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/33 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/25 2009 Birds of Prey: DH/31 2008 Birds of Prey: DH/7, SG/25 2007 Birds of Prey: SC/DNF, DH/2, GS/DNQ, SG/DNF

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Aksel Lund Svindal

Matthias Mayer

World Cup Wins: 32 World Cup Titles: 2 Overall, 9 Discipline World Championships Medals: 8 Olympic Medals: 3 Birds of Prey Wins: 5 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/1, SG/21 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/6, SG/6 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/1, SG/7, GS/11 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/2, GS/6 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/2, GS/9T, GS/6, SL/DNQ 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/9, GS/5 2009 Birds of Prey: GS/3, DH/3, SC/6 2008 Birds of Prey: GS/3, DH/1, SG/1 2007 Birds of Prey: Injured in DH Training

World Cup wins: 4 World Cup podiums: 14 Olympic medals: 1 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/21, SG/54 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/9, SG/17, GS/24 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/DNF, SG/10, GS/DNF 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/21, SG/7, GS/16 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/48, SG/DNF, GS/DNF, GS/DNQ

Age: 34 Hometown: Kjeller

Marcel Hirscher

Age: 28 Hometown: Annaberg World Cup Wins: 45 Podiums: 107 World Cup Titles: 6 overall, 5 discipline World Championships Medals: 7 Olympic Medals: 1 Birds of Prey Wins: 3 2015 Birds of Prey: SG/1, GS/1 2014 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF, GS/3 2013 Birds of Prey: SG/16, GS/3 2012 Birds of Prey: GS/2 2011 Birds of Prey: GS/1, GS/2, SL/3 2010 Birds of Prey: GS/3 2009 Birds of Prey: GS/29 2008 Birds of Prey: GS/15

Andrew Weibrecht

Age: 31 Hometown: Lake Placid, New York World Cup podiums: 2 Olympic Medals: 2 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/3, GS/DNF 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/30, SG/10 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/DNF, SG/20 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/37 Birds of Prey: DH/32, SG/10 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF 2009 Birds of Prey: GS/DNF, SC/19, DH/11 2008 Birds of Prey: DH/DNF, SG/35 2007 Birds of Prey: SC/14, DH/10, SG/DNF

Photos by Jonathan Selkowitz

Age: 27 Hometown: Afritz

Kjetil Jansrud

Age: 32 Hometown: Vinstra World Cup Wins: 19 World Cup Podiums: 41 World Cup Titles: 3 discipline (DH, 2 SG) World Championships Medals: 2 Olympic Medals: 3 Birds of Prey Wins: 1 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/55, GS/15 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/1, SG/2, GS/15 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/12, SG/9, GS/17 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/3, SG/6 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/26, SG/6, GS/3, GS/7 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/10, GS/2 2009 Birds of Prey: DH/23, SC/11, GS/5 2008 Birds of Prey: SG/19, GS/4 2005 Birds of Prey: SL/4

Hannes Reichelt

Age: 37 Hometown: Radstadt World Cup Wins: 13 World Cup Podiums: 41 World Cup Titles: 1 SG World Championships Medals: 2 Birds of Prey wins: 2 (both SG) 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/4, SG16, GS/DNQ 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/8, SG/1, GS/25 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/3 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/24, SG/3, GS/12 2011 Birds of Prey: DG/10, SG/5, GS/5 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/13 2009 Birds of Prey: GS/6 2008 Birds of Prey: DH/46, SG/10, GS/DNF 2007 Birds of Prey: DH/44, SG/1, GS/7

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Peter Fill

Erik Guay

World Cup wins: 3 World Cup podiums: 20 World Cup titles: 2 DH World Championship medals: 2 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/8, SG/26 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/10, SG/4 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/3, SG/3 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/8, SG/DNF 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/7, SG/25, GS/DNF, GS/DNQ 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/6, GS/DNF 2008 Birds of Prey: DH/11, SG/12, GS/DNF 2007 Birds of Prey: DH/7, SG/36, SC/30, GS/15 2006 Birds of Prey: DH/4, SC/4, GS/DNQ, 2005 Birds of Prey: DH/7, SG/15, GS/DNF 2004 Birds of Prey: DH/14, SG/DNF, GS/DNQ, SL/DNF 2003 Birds of Prey: DH/28, DH/29, SG/4 2002 Birds of Prey: DH/30, SG/20

World Cup wins: 5 World Cup podiums: 25 World Cup titles: 1 SG World Championship medals: 3 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/11, SG/9 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/16, SG/30 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/15, DH/11 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/17, SG/7 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/29, GS/DNF 2009 Birds of Prey: DH/29 2008 Birds of Prey: DH/3, SG/13, GS/DNQ 2007 Birds of Prey: DH/15, SG/DNF, GS/DNQ 2006 Birds of Prey: DH/DNF, SC/DNS, GS/DSQ 2005 Birds of Prey: DH/6, SG/2, GS/21

Age: 35 Hometown: Castelrotto

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde

Beat Feuz

Age: 25 Hometown: Bærum

Age: 30 Hometown: Schangnau World Cup wins: 7 World Cup podiums: 25 World Championship medals: 2 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/23 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/6, SG/26 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/3, GS/16, GS/17 2009 Birds of Prey: DH/20, DH/DNF, SC/16, GS/DNQ

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Age: 36 Hometown: Mont Tremblant

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World Cup wins: 2 World Cup podiums: 7 World Cup titles: 1 SG 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/16, SG/7, GS/DNF 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/33, SG/DNF, GS/DNQ 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/DNF, SG/23, GS/DNQ

Henrik Kristoffersen

Mathieu Faivre

World Cup wins: 15 World Cup podiums: 31 World Cup titles: 1 SL Olympic medals: 1 2015 Birds of Prey: GS/3 2014 Birds of Prey: GS/27

World Cup wins: 1 World Cup podiums: 5 2015 Birds of Prey: GS/7 2014 Birds of Prey: GS/11 2013 Birds of Prey: GS/4 2012 Birds of Prey: GS/28

Felix Neureuther

Travis Ganong

World Cup wins: 13 World Cup podiums: 47 World Championship medals: 3 2015 Birds of Prey: GS/5 2014 Birds of Prey: GS/8 2013 Birds of Prey: GS/7 2012 Birds of Prey: GS/17 2011 Birds of Prey: SL/10 2010 Birds of Prey: GS/19 2009 Birds of Prey: SC/22, GS/DNQ 2007 Birds of Prey: GS/DNQ 2006 Birds of Prey: GS/22, SL/3 2005 Birds of Prey: GS/DNQ, SL/11 2004 Birds of Prey: GS/DNQ, SL/6

World Cup wins: 2 World Cup podiums: 4 World Championship medals: 1 2015 Birds of Prey: DH/12, SG/6 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/28 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/15, SG/DNF 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/16, SG/DNF 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/33, SG/DNF 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/31

Age: 23 Hometown: Lørenskog

Age: 33 Hometown: Partenkirchen

Age: 25 Hometown: Isola 2000

Age: 29 Hometown: Lake Tahoe, CA

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A Quicker Carve REGULATIONS IN SKI RADIUS ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR YOUNG SKIERS TO EXCEL IN GIANT SLALOM It may not be immediately noticeable to spectators, but World Cup giant slalom competitions have a whole different feel this season thanks to new equipment regulations for men’s FIS giant slalom skis. Beginning this season, all of the male competitors will have to adhere to a minimum ski length of 193 centimeters with a -5 centimeter tolerance for FIS-level races only.

More importantly, the minimum ski radius was shortened to 30 meters from the former 35 meters, a measurement that was in place for World Cup skiers since the start of the 2012-13 season.

The change puts the men’s radius in-line with the current women’s GS profile, which is also 30 meters.

“I wish they had done it sooner,” Nordica USA’s Ethan Korpi told Ski Racing when the change was announced last year. “It’s a great thing that they recognize that the sport would be more enjoyable and easier to attract new athletes and retain athletes.

In Ski Racing’s report, industry insiders noted the 35-meter skis were becoming increasingly burdensome for racers of all levels, particularly younger athletes. Young male FIS athletes were struggling to develop on 35-meter radius skis due to the amount of strength required to safely and effectively control the equipment.

Even World Cup men were beginning to show serious wear and tear on their bodies due to the intense physical nature of maneuvering the skis.

The change brought pressure on equipment manufacturers to produce enough gear in time for the 2017 season. According to Korpi, Nordica and other ski brands learned a thing or two when they were rolling out the now-defunct 35-meter skis back in 2012.

“The 30-meter ski is pretty darn close in terms of dimensions to what we were building before [the 2012 change],” noted Korpi. “The FIS rule was 27, but we were flirting with some 30 to almost up to 32 meters in some ski models anyway, so we had a really good starting point.”

STORY BY LISA ANTONUCCI

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Photo by Jonathan Selkowitz

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Smartwool and the Little Guy logo are trademarks of TBL Licensing LLC. Š 2017 TBL Licensing LLC. All rights reserved.

Gemütlichkeit.

There is a spirit of warmth and friendliness radiating from the Sonnenalp Hotel.

Here, we call this feeling gemütlichkeit – the warmest European hospitality.

Family-owned and operated for over five generations, guests who love Vail return year after year to the intimacy of the Sonnenalp Hotel. The Sonnenalp epitomizes the mix of alpine adventure and elegance that sets Vail apart. Centrally located in Vail Village overlooking Gore Creek, you’ll enjoy our full service European spa, activity programs for all ages, three on-site restaurants and live music at the King’s Club lounge.

Contact our concierge at 970-479-5429 or concierge@sonnenalp.com to book your stay today.

20 Vail Road • Vail, Colorado 81657 970-476-5656 • sonnenalp.com Follow us on Instagram: @genussatthesonnenalp or @sonnenalp

For Information

www.pepis.com 800-610-7374

PREVIOUS BIRDS OF PREY WINNERS 1997

DH Kristian Ghedina, ITA DH Andreas Schifferer, AUT SG Hermann Maier, AUT

1999 SL GS DH SG

Didier Plaschy, SUI Hermann Maier, AUT Hermann Maier, AUT Hermann Maier, AUT

2000

DH Hermann Maier, AUT SG Fredrik Nyberg, SWE

2005 DH SG GS SL

Daron Rahlves, USA Hannes Reichelt, AUT Bode Miller, USA Giorgio Rocca, ITA

2006 SC DH GS SL

Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR Bode Miller, USA Massimiliano Blardone, ITA Andre Myhrer, SWE

2007

No races held

SC DH GS SG

2002

2008

2001

DH Stephan Eberharter, AUT SG Didier Cuche, SUI

2003

DH Daron Rahlves, USA DH Hermann Maier, AUT SG Bjarne Solbakken, NOR

2004 DH SG GS SL

Bode Miller, USA Stephan Goergl, AUT Lasse Kjus, NOR Benjamin Raich, AUT

Photo by Logan Robertson

Daniel Albrecht, SUI Michael Walchhofer, AUT Daniel Albrecht, SUI Hannes Reichelt, AUT

DH Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR SG Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR GS Benjamin Raich, AUT

2009

SC Carlo Janka, SUI DH Carlo Janka, SUI GS Carlo Janka, SUI

2010

SG Georg Streitberger, AUT GS Ted Ligety, USA

2011 DH SG GS GS SG SL

Bode Miller, USA Sandro Viletta, SUI Marcel Hirscher, AUT Ted Ligety, USA Lindsey Vonn, USA Ivica Kostelic, CRO

2012

DH Christof Innerhofer, ITA SG Matteo Marsaglia, ITA GS Ted Ligety, USA

2013 DH SG GS DH SG GS

Lara Gut, SUI Lara Gut, SUI Jessica Lindell-Vikarby, SWE Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR Patrick Kueng, SUI Ted Ligety, USA

2014

DH Kjetil Jansrud, NOR SG Hannes Reichelt, AUT GS Ted Ligety, USA

2015

DH Kjetil Jansrud NOR SG Marcel Hirscher AUT GS Marcel Hirscher AUT

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GETTING TO THE RACES Parking & Arrival at Red Tail Stadium Spectator parking is available in the resort parking lots at the base of Beaver Creek. Regularly scheduled free shuttles will bring spectators to the Vilar Performing Arts Center and Birds of Prey Way expo area. Free race shuttles depart from the Covered Bridge, every 5-10 minutes throughout training and race days. Skis and snowboards are not permitted on the race shuttles.

From the race shuttle drop off location, there is a five-minute on-snow walk to Red Tail Stadium. Please allow one hour of travel time from the base of Beaver Creek Resort to Red Tail Stadium to avoid missing any of the action! ADA access to the venue is available on request. Please contact Birds of Prey Registration at 970.748.5901.

Spectator Access & Viewing The Birds of Prey Racecourse has a mid-mountain finish and all race events are free and open to the public.

Public concessions and restrooms are available.

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REMEMBER US

ON COLORADO GIVES DAY

W HER E GIV

E

YOU

PLAY

DEC. 5, 2017

coloradogives.org/VVF vvf.org | 970.777.205

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