2007 Disabled World Cup season to kick off in Aspen

The U.S. Disabled Ski Team is set to open the 2007 International Paralympic Committee alpine World Cup tour Jan. 17-21 at Aspen Mountain. Hosted by Challenge Aspen, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and Aspen Skiing Company, the U.S. team joins more than 15 nations in the quest for the Nations Cup.

THE U.S. DISABLED SKI TEAM is set to open the 2007 International Paralympic Committee alpine World Cup tour Jan. 17-21 at Aspen Mountain. Hosted by Challenge Aspen, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and Aspen Skiing Company, the U.S. team joins more than 15 nations in the quest for the Nations Cup.
    More than 80 athletes will compete in super G, giant slalom and slalom for a total of six out of 17 World Cup races on the 2007 schedule.
    “Challenge Aspen is very excited to host the fastest disabled skiers in the world this January and show the town of Aspen how incredible they really are,” said Kevin Jardine, Challenge Aspen director of skiing.
    Jardine and Bryan Peterson, both residents of the Roaring Fork Valley, were coaches for the 2006 U.S. Paralympic team and the U.S. Disabled Alpine Team. They were instrumental in securing the bid for the Disabled World Cup and are working for a successful event as members of the local organizing committee.
    Following the Aspen races, the World Cup will move to British Columbia for three competitions before taking a short training break. Five more races will then run in early March in Abtenau, Austria, before the Disabled World Cup Finals slated for Arte Therme Zoncolan, Italy, beginning March 14.
    Volunteers interested in working with the Disabled World Cup races are asked to contact Evan Zislis at Challenge Aspen at 970-923-0578 ext. 17, or via e-mail at evan@challengeaspen.com.

— USSA