Birds of Prey hits air waves

BEAVER CREEK – When the first racer of the second run steps into the start gate in Beaver Creek on Dec. 2, the U.S. will have the ability to tune in, as NBC and the U.S. Ski Team recently announced that the network will air the second run of the Audi Birds of Prey men’s giant slalom live on the NBC Sports Network.The Birds of Prey broadcast will be part of a coverage package between NBC and the U.S. Ski Association that will include 11 hours on NBC and 22 hours on the NBC Sports Network during the coming winter.”This is very exciting news,” said Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. “Having the ability to go live throughout the U.S. not only allows us to further showcase Beaver Creek and Birds of Prey, but it also allows us to bring ski racing into people’s homes on a real-time basis, especially as we look ahead to the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.”In addition to the second run of men’s giant slalom, the NBC Sports Network also will broadcast the second run of World Cup women’s slalom from Aspen live on Thanksgiving weekend.”Broadcasting the Audi Birds of Prey giant slalom live is a huge step forward in showing the intensity and excitement of alpine skiing to the U.S. audience,” said U.S. Ski Team star Ted Ligety. “It’s one of the best races of the season.”The 2012 World Cup is scheduled from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, with men’s downhill and super-G on tap in addition to the GS.The Birds of Prey World Cup is a project of the Vail Valley Foundation. For additional information on Birds of Prey, visit http://www.bcworldcup.com. For more information on the Foundation, check out http://www.vvf.org.