Summer Roundup: Kildow, Nef, Schiffy, Mancuso and Schlopy

Summer Roundup: Kildow, Nef, Schiffy, Mancuso and SchlopyLindsey Kildow has confirmed her long-term commitment to racing on Rossignol equipment, according to a news release from the company. Kildow, 20, has signed a contract to remain on Rossignol for the next five years through the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Kildow finished sixth in the overall World Cup standings last season (third in super G and fifth in downhill). Kildow is planning to spend most of the month of August training in Chile.

Speaking of Vancouver’s Olympics, the nordic skiing venues are ‘on time and on budget’ according to the International Olympic Committee. ‘Our goal was to begin venue preparations as early as possible to help us deliver the venues well in advance of the Games’ said Steve Matheson, the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee’s senior vice president of venue development. Early venue completion provides ‘enhanced opportunities for venue testing and access for Canadian athlete training, well in advance of the 2010 Games.” The nordic venue, situated in the Callaghan Valley, will host several competitions, including cross country skiing, ski jumping, nordic combined events and biathlon as well as cross-country skiing and biathlon Paralympic events. The nordic venue will host more than 30 medal events.

Austrian downhiller Andreas Schifferer was hospitalized last week after being involved in a car accident. Alcohol was a factor, according to police, who confiscated Schifferer’s driver’s license. He was also disciplined by the Austrian ski federation. Schifferer reportedly sideswiped a vehicle as he attempted to pass it on a road southeast of Salzburg on Saturday, July 23. Schifferer suffered a concussion and shock, while the other driver had unspecified slight injuries, according to The Associated Press.

IN OTHER WORLD CUP NEWS…Sonja Nef, who considered retirement in March and had knee surgery in the spring, returns to snow in Zermatt this week, training with the Swiss team (in the past she has trained independently…Erik Schlopy married Summer Sanders, who won four medals as a swimmer at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona…Julia Mancuso raised $2,200 in charity in a half-triathlon in Truckee, California.

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