The 2005/06 ski and snowboard World Cup stages its prelude events this weekend, the series of glacier-based and artificial snow competitions which provide a small entrée to what will come later in the season.
The 2005/06 ski and snowboard World Cup stages its prelude events this weekend, the series of glacier-based and artificial snow competitions which provide a small entrée to what will come later in the season.
And because it's an Olympic year, Australia's winter sports athletes will be taking the opportunity to try for Games-qualifying results which may get them to Torino in February, 2006.
In alpine skiing, Luke Deane, Bradley Wall and Jono Brauer will compete in the traditional World Cup giant slalom (GS) opener on the glacier course above Soelden, Austria.
Deane was Australia's standout alpine skier last season, lifting his ranking in super G from 315 to 47th in the world, and his GS ranking from 250 to 68th, recording two fourth placings in second-tier Europa Cup GS events along the way.
The Soelden event is the first of five World Cup qualification events in giant slalom.
Across the border in Switzerland, Mitch Allan, Andrew Burton, Ben Mates and Holly Crawford will compete in the second halfpipe World Cup of the season in Saas-Fee.
Burton and Bright achieved the Australian Olympic Committee’s performance criteria for selection for Torino last season, with Crawford meeting the mark in the opening event of this 2005/06 snowboard season in Chile in September - a prelude to the prelude - claiming a bronze medal in Valle Nevado.
Allan achieved two top 60% results in Chile, and also posted a top 25 placing - the additional International Ski Federation qualification criterion in the case of snowboard - and will meet the second tier performance criteria for Torino if he obtains another top 60% result this weekend. Mates has achieved one top 60% and will be looking for his second.
Damon Hayler, Emily Thomas and Kai Robrahn are also competing in Saas-Fee in a snowboard cross event, the first of six World Cup events at which they can qualify for Torino.
And in cross country skiing, Paul Murray, Esther Bottomley, and Andrew Mock will contest the sprint event at the opening World Cup in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The event, run on a track of artificial snow on the banks of the Rhine River, is the first step in a campaign that could see more Australian cross country athletes representing their country at an Olympic Games than ever before. Australia has never sent more than two cross country skiers to a Winter Games.
And because it's an Olympic year, Australia's winter sports athletes will be taking the opportunity to try for Games-qualifying results which may get them to Torino in February, 2006.
In alpine skiing, Luke Deane, Bradley Wall and Jono Brauer will compete in the traditional World Cup giant slalom (GS) opener on the glacier course above Soelden, Austria.
Deane was Australia's standout alpine skier last season, lifting his ranking in super G from 315 to 47th in the world, and his GS ranking from 250 to 68th, recording two fourth placings in second-tier Europa Cup GS events along the way.
The Soelden event is the first of five World Cup qualification events in giant slalom.
Across the border in Switzerland, Mitch Allan, Andrew Burton, Ben Mates and Holly Crawford will compete in the second halfpipe World Cup of the season in Saas-Fee.
Burton and Bright achieved the Australian Olympic Committee’s performance criteria for selection for Torino last season, with Crawford meeting the mark in the opening event of this 2005/06 snowboard season in Chile in September - a prelude to the prelude - claiming a bronze medal in Valle Nevado.
Allan achieved two top 60% results in Chile, and also posted a top 25 placing - the additional International Ski Federation qualification criterion in the case of snowboard - and will meet the second tier performance criteria for Torino if he obtains another top 60% result this weekend. Mates has achieved one top 60% and will be looking for his second.
Damon Hayler, Emily Thomas and Kai Robrahn are also competing in Saas-Fee in a snowboard cross event, the first of six World Cup events at which they can qualify for Torino.
And in cross country skiing, Paul Murray, Esther Bottomley, and Andrew Mock will contest the sprint event at the opening World Cup in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The event, run on a track of artificial snow on the banks of the Rhine River, is the first step in a campaign that could see more Australian cross country athletes representing their country at an Olympic Games than ever before. Australia has never sent more than two cross country skiers to a Winter Games.
