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Local contingent arrives at Worlds

John Garnsey, Ceil Folz and Kurt Krieg

Sunday, Feb. 2

We arrived on Feb. 1st and, as always, spent most of the day getting the lay of the land. St. Moritz has received a lot of fresh snow and the venues look good. The weather was fine for Sunday’s men’s super-G.

The Vail/Beaver Creek contingent – John Garnsey, Ceil Folz, Kurt Krieg and Sheika and Pepi Gramshammer – went to opening ceremonies But it was so cold we left to a nearby bar and watched the show on live TV while drinking some gluevine, beer and our first taste of Swiss fondue.



Sunday’s men’s super-G couldn’t have been more exciting. With two Swiss racers sitting in the top two spots, Bode came down in his usual fashion – wild – and raced through the finish to a nearly silent crowd.

Hermann Maier came down just a few racers later to tie him, reminiscent of his tie at the Vail Worlds in 99 with Norway’s Lasse Kjus. Eberharter cleaned up the course just three racers later giving the Austrians reason to celebrate again.

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Pepi and Sheika were also celebrating as both their countries raced so well. There were quite a few spectators sporting Vail ’99 hats and we also saw several volunteers from our valley.

World famous journalist Patrick Lange was seen in the Press Center, sporting a Vail 09 hat as well.

We have been able to meet with key individuals from Italy and Sweden – both countries are future hosts of World Championships – Bormio, Italy, in 2005, and Sweden in 2007.

We also had a small meeting with members of the FIS to discuss the dates for next year – and it looks very good for our opportunity to host our World Cup in December on our usual dates. This will be confirmed at the meeting on Thursday.

We capped off Sunday with our friends from Casa Italia- a hospitality house from the Italians and we enjoyed a great lunch with the director, Claudio, who has a great love of Vail.

We have made many friends throughout the world because of our races and there is nowhere we go that we do not see a familiar face – and EVERYONE knows Pepi!

Sunday night, we’re off to the awards ceremony, team captains’ meeting and wrapping up at the USA house to celebrate today’s race.We capped off Sunday with our friends from Casa Italia- a hospitality house from the Italians and we enjoyed a great lunch with the director, Claudio, who has a great love of Vail.

We have made many friends throughout the world because of our races and there is nowhere we go that we do not see a familiar face – and EVERYONE knows Pepi!

Sunday night, we’re off to the awards ceremony, team captains’ meeting and wrapping up at the USA house to celebrate today’s race.

Wish you were here,

John, Ceil and Kurt


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