Cold conditions as Levi begins

With the number one slalom skier in the world sidelined, Marlies Schild, the women of the World Cup come into Levi, Finland with added hopes for the first slalom win of the season.

With the number one slalom skier in the world sidelined, Marlies Schild, the women of the World Cup come into Levi, Finland with added hopes for the first slalom win of the season.
A cold snap has provided winter-like conditions for the women as they prepare for Saturday’s opening event.
“The course is hard, but not icy and it is in great condition,” said GS champion Denise Karbon of Italy. “Today there was a little bit of loose snow, but it wasn’t a problem.”
The Levi Black slope will provide plenty of tests. “The course is great and the steep is challenging,” said Germany’s Monika Bergmann. “I hope it’s not too cold on race day. It should be a tough, tight race.”
Friday was limited to free-skiing as organizers provided 40 minutes for the competitors to acquaint themselves with the course. Temperatures were about 14f, or -10c with a brisk wind blowing loose snow around the course.
The men will tackle the course Sunday. Levi has previously hosted six World Cup slaloms, including last November when Schild and Benjamin Raich claimed the wins. Two Americans finished in the top 15 at Levi in ’06. Jimmy Cochran led the men in 15th; Resi Stiegler the women in 10th. Last season the race was scrapped and moved to Reiteralm, Austria with Cochran placing 14th and Stiegler fourth.