Adelboden is prepared for the first Bernese Oberland FIS World Cup weekend with giant slalom set for Saturday and slalom for Sunday. Early this week the slope on the Chuenisbärgli was injected with the beam and the current conditions are excellent.
Chief of Competition Hans Pieren commented: "Everything is looking good. It has been good weather with temperatures below zero until now. But we are also watching how it will develop for the weekend as the forecast is for cold weather but with some snowfall."
The Chuenisbärgli is one of the most difficult race courses on the World Cup circuit because of its intimidatingly steep and icy finishing slope. Additionally, the middle section features many knolls and transitions on a slightly sidewards tilted hill, which makes it difficult for the racers to find their rhythm as one turn is always longer than the other.
Adelboden has more than half a century of ski racing history, having organized many World Cup-, European Cup- and FIS-Races.
The Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Adelboden is enjoying a real boom. A year after the record number of 25 500 spectators attended the giant slalom, the grandstand and VIP tickets were sold out in record time.
However, since the capacity around the finish area and up on the course is pretty much unrestricted, there are still tickets available. Also, Jan. 10 tickets for the slalom are still available. There is even a special viewing platform for wheelchair users in the finish area.
After a 20-day resting period to heal his ankle, American Bode Miller will return to the World Cup circuit at Adelboden. The World Cup winner of 2005 and 2008 twisted his ankle playing volleyball in Val d' Isère but competed despite his injury in the Val Gardena super G and the Alta Badia giant slalom.
In 2009, it was Austrian Benjamin Raich who won the giant slalom and his teammate Reinfried Herbst the slalom.
Celebrations will begin Friday, Jan. 8, at 7:00 h CET with a World Cup Show on the "Märitplatz" in Adelboden village.
