Aspen prepares for eventful World Cup weekend

American Olympic gold medalists Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso and World Cup leader, German Maria Riesch, take center stage Thanksgiving weekend when the Visa Aspen Winternational kicks off the classic North American swing of the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup.

Heavy early-season snowfall has already blanketed the Colorado Rockies providing a picture perfect landscape in Aspen for Saturday’s giant slalom and Sunday’s slalom. The event will be seen nationally on NBC, Versus and Universal Sports, and beamed to millions worldwide.

“It’s always special to race in Aspen,” said Vonn, who is planing on a big family Thanksgiving. “I know all my friends from Vail will be over to see the best skiers in the world go head-to-head on Colorado snow. My two aunts are coming out from Wisconsin and they haven’t seen me ski since I was 12. Plus my great aunt and uncle will be there along with Thomas’ parents, my friends and the entire Vonntourage. We don’t get that kind of support anywhere else.”

Fans can catch the action with a full television broadcast package featuring coverage on NBC, Versus and Universal Sports. NBC will feature the giant slalom Sunday at 1 p.m. ET with a replay set for Saturday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. ET on Versus followed by the slalom at 5 p.m. ET. Universal Sports will air the races on its 24-hour TV network Dec. 6-7 at noon ET.

Also expected to race in Aspen are Olympians Sarah Schleper, Megan McJames, Hailey Duke and Leanne Smith, who join Vonn and Mancuso in the quest to become the first American women on an Aspen podium since 2004 (Kristina Koznick). They are counting on more than just home cooking to improve on last year’s results, which saw the home team shut out of the top ten in both races.  

Thanks to a favorable blanket of early season natural snow, the U.S. Ski Team took full advantage of a rare shot to train on the race hill Friday and Saturday. The International Ski Federation (FIS) allows training on the competition slope up until five days prior to a World Cup race, however in recent years, the slope hasn’t been ready in time to host the bonus training sessions.

“It’s incredible skiing here at Aspen,” said women’s technical Head Coach Trevor Wagner as training kicked off. “The girls got in six runs of giant slalom this morning and we just finished setting slalom for a second session. We’ve got the same program running tomorrow – we’re fired up to be here.”

This weekend will mark the seventh consecutive season of women’s World Cup in Aspen, however the classic ski town’s storied World Cup history dates back to 1968, when the former mining community hosted its first World Cup race in only the second season of the tour. Later, thanks to the efforts of local skiing legend Dick Durrance, Aspen hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 1950.

In addition to the athletes, fans will also receive the full Aspen experience with public events scheduled throughout the weekend. Saturday features an autograph signing with the U.S. Ski Team at 3:30 p.m. followed by a free concert featuring Blind Melon at 6:30 p.m. The concert wraps with the women’s giant slalom awards ceremony and fireworks.

Fans will even have the opportunity to go behind the World Cup scenes with free guided tours of the professional ski wax cabins on Saturday afternoon. Tours begin at 3:30 and 4 p.m. from the Mountain Chalet garage entrance.

Aspen Mountain opens to the public at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Image by Gepa

2010 VISA ASPEN WINTERNATIONAL

Thursday, November 25
6 -9 p.m.  – Dine Around – Downtown Aspen Participating Restaurants

Friday, November 26
10 a.m.-4 p.m.  – Sponsor Village Open – Gondola Plaza
6 -9 p.m.  – Dine Around – Downtown Aspen Participating Restaurants
7 p.m. – Sneak Preview – Legend of AAHHH’s, a Film by Greg Stump – Wheeler Opera House – Cost $10 Tickets available at the Wheeler

Saturday, November 27
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Free Public Shuttles – Run every 20 minutes from Rubey Park –
St. Regis – Venue
10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Sponsor Village Open – Gondola Plaza
10 a.m. – RACE START: Women’s Giant Slalom Run 1 – Strawpile
11 a.m. – Taste of Winternational featuring complimentary food tastings and beverages from Cloud 9, ASC Catering, Cliffhouse, Ullrhof, Sam’s Smokehouse, Bumps and the Lynn Britt Cabin – Finish Area
11:30 a.m.-  Live Music – Double Diamond Band&Prize Giveaways – Finish Area
1:00 p.m. – RACE START: Women’s Giant Slalom Final – Strawpile
3:30-4:30 p.m. – U.S. Ski Team Autograph Signing – Gondola Plaza
3:30 and 4 p.m. – Guided Public Tours of Wax Room – Mountain Chalet Garage Entrance
6-9 p.m. – Dine Around – Downtown Aspen Participating Restaurants
6:30-8 p.m. – Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series featuring Blind Melon – Upper Gondola Plaza
8-8:15 p.m. –  Awards Ceremony for Giant Slalom Winners and Presentation of
Bingham Cup – Concert Stage
8:15 p.m. – Fireworks Extravaganza – Little Nell

Sunday, November 28
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Free Public Shuttles – Run every 20 minutes from Rubey Park –
St. Regis – Venue
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sponsor Village Open – Gondola Plaza
10:00 a.m. – RACE START: Women’s Slalom Run 1 – Strawpile
11 a.m. – Taste of Winternational featuring complimentary food tastings and beverages from Cloud 9, ASC Catering, Cliffhouse, Ullrhof, Sam’s Smokehouse, Bumps and the Lynn Britt Cabin – Finish Area
11:30 a.m.  – Live Music – Double Diamond Band&Prize Giveaways – Finish Area
1:00 p.m.  – RACE START: Women’s Slalom Final – Strawpile
6 -9 p.m. – Dine Around – Downtown Aspen Participating Restaurants

A complete Visa Aspen Winternational schedule is available at www.aspensnowmass.com.