Sport through the lens

Alpine skiing World cup in Kranjska Gora is over, January is over, and now it’s time for me to get some rest. With more then 12 or 13 alpine skiing World cup races in January, you can imagine how it feels to finally have week in front of me, when I can be home for weekend with my wife, and when my only early morning/late night coming home is due my weekly ice hockey “practice”.

Marcus Sandell of Finland reacts in finish of second run of Men giant slalom race of Audi FIS alpine skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora

As I wrote few times before, January was really crazy this year. They put about same number of races as usually into season, which is one month short due Olympics. This means we were traveling from race to race, without much of stop. If this was pretty bad for me, you can imagine what it takes from racers.

Didier Cuche of Switzerland skiing in first run of Men giant slalom race of Audi FIS alpine skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora

Seventh after first run Julien Lizeroux of France skiing in first run of Men slalom race of Audi FIS alpine skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora

But at least I have a break now, racers don’t. They need to get ready for Vancouver, do well in Vancouver, and then keep going for another 2 weeks after that, when I will meet most of them in World cup finals in Garmisch, Germany. So I wish them all good luck with in Vancouver and safe and healthy trip through Nakiska, where most of them will stop for training, Vancouver all the way to season end in Garmisch.

Ninth after first run Cyprien Richard of France skiing in first run of Men giant slalom race of Audi FIS alpine skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora

Fifth placed Davide Simoncelli of Italy skiing in second run of second Men giant slalom race of Audi FIS alpine skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora

My good wishes would be useful for Didi (Didier Cuche) who got injured last weekend in Kranjska Gora. Didi is really cool guy, and I would definitely be happy if he would continue his great performance in Vancouver. But after his crash and later on surgery, I’m not so sure, he will be lucky enough and do good in Whistler. But no matter what, I certainly hope he will do great in Canada.

Didier Cuche of Switzerland crashing in second run of Men giant slalom race of Audi FIS alpine skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora

Another guy, who I wish all best is Marcus Sandell. He crashed really badly in Autumn on training in Pitztaler Gletscher. With a bit of bad luck, it could be, he wouldn’t be with us anymore, but things went fine, and in Kranjska Gora, he managed to qualify for Olympics. Considering him being really great and extremely positive guy, I was really happy when I heard result of his time as forerunner in Kranjska Gora GS races. With result, which would lead him into top 15, he managed to qualify for Olympics, and it  was really great news.

Forunner Marcus Sandell of Finland skiing in second run of second Men giant slalom race of Audi FIS alpine skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora

Silvan Zurbriggen of Switzerland crashing in first run of second Men giant slalom race of Audi FIS alpine skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora

So Kranjska Gora was great, even if Didi won’t agree for sure, and even due some not so great weather, really early wake up in morning, and pathetic press/vip party on Saturday evening. This thing is getting worse and worse every year, and instead of people from WC circus, there’s bunch of local wannabee stars… something which you can easily live without. So we were out of there in less then half hour.

Andreas Romar of Finland (R) during course inspection before Saturday’s GS race

Fifth after first run Marcel Hirscher of Austria skiing in first run of second Men giant slalom race of Audi FIS alpine skiing World Cup in Kranjska Gora

But enough for today. More will follow tomorrow or in day or two. :)