Sport through the lens

With a bit of delay, I finally got some time and will to write few words about start of FIS Alpine skiing World cup of 2009/10 season. As traditionally Rettenbach glacier above Soelden, Austria was first stop of the season.

Sanni Leinonen of Finland skiing in first run of first Women GS FIS Alpine ski World Cup 2009-2010 race in Soelden

Surrounding of Rettenbach glacier

Everything started with something I don’t really like… 500km drive from Kranj, Slovenia, to Soelden, Austria on Thursday morning. Drive was boring as usually, but at least it was done fast. We were in Soelden as planned, so we didn’t have problems to catch Audi press conference. Nothing special, but it’s nice way to get few a bit different photos of skiers and coaches without whole bunch of winter equipment, and to have some chat with people, who I mostly didn’t see since last March, when last season finished.

Tanja Poutiainen of Finland during Audi press conference

Marion Bertrand of France skiing in first run of first Women GS FIS Alpine ski World Cup 2009-2010 race in Soelden

Friday was day for my first skiing this season. I was actually hoping I will get some time on slope before that, but early autumn wasn’t really generous with snow, so conditions on glaciers were everything but good. But nice and at least on beginning sunny day, with very few people on Tieffenbach glacier made first day on skis really great.

Coach of Finnish women alpine ski team, Janez Slivnik during Audi press conference

Friday afternoon was time for hanging out with friends, few beers and chats how summer went through.

Sanni Leinonen of Finland skiing in first run of first Women GS FIS Alpine ski World Cup 2009-2010 race in Soelden

Winner Tanja Poutiainen of Finland reacts in finish of second run

Winner Tanja Poutiainen of Finland celebrates her medal

Saturday and Sunday were pretty “standard” race days. Waking up in middle of the night, being up on hill before most of fans even woke up, waiting having fun with other photographers,  course workers, FIS officials, and then rush down the hill to send photos as soon as possible. But the way guys at FIS organize things, this is actually fun. So it feels great to be back to World cup tour for one another year.

Leader after first run Didier Cuche of Switzerland skiing in first run of first Men GS FIS Alpine ski World Cup 2009-2010 race in Soelden

Andreas Romar of Finland on start of first run of first Men GS FIS Alpine ski World Cup 2009-2010 race in Soelden

Now there’s a bit of a break, and on 17th of December, it’s starting for real for me. Whole lot of races, traveling, hectic till end of January, when Olympics in Vancouver will start,  and month of holidays for me will begin. Yup no Olympics for me, and I don’t even regret this ;) Even though it would be nice on other side to be part of it.

Didier Cuche of Switzerland skiing in first run of first Men GS FIS Alpine ski World Cup 2009-2010 race in Soelden

Andreas Romar of Finland skiing in first run of first Men GS FIS Alpine ski World Cup 2009-2010 race in Soelden

Until then, keep checking our on-line archive for current photos, and this blog for my (not so regular) updates.