The Americans, who have been accustomed for three seasons to the slopes of Chile for a speed session, will leave South America to return at the beginning of October to New Zealand on the slopes of Mt Hutt after they have already spent some time at Coronet Peak earlier in August. The lack of snow has led to the decision of the U.S. Ski Team staff. After one block in New Zealand, the Americans put the cap on Chile and the ladies speedsters will train in Portillo while the technicians go to Valle Nevada.
The French ladies speed team, who had planned to stay in La Parva from 9 to 29 September, will still be in Chile but in Chilian 400 kilometres further South of Santiago, where according to Jean-Philippe Vulliet, athletic director and on-site for some days, the conditions are "good" in this resort perched on a volcano.
The Germans had also decided to move from La Parva to Chilian to do speed tests. The tricolors will thus have a benchmark to compare themselves at this stage of training.
Last but not least, the Italian Alpine teams continue their preparation in South America smoothly at Ushuaia. On the weekend the last teams will be arriving in Argentina. These days they are doing giant slalom and speed test runs. The minor ailments that have slowed down in part Brignone Federica and Chiara Costazza in recent days have healed, so that today's training was held as scheduled. "The snow of recent days has made the slopes practically perfect - says the only athletic director Claudio Ravetto -. I think this is the year in which we found the best conditions and the athletes are enjoying it."
