Whereas in the women´s event Ekatharina Lavrentjeva (RUS) has won the overall World Cup already, close decisions can be expected in the doubles and men´s events. Even though current World Cup leader Patrick Pigneter (ITA) seems to be in the better position, Gernot Schwab has come to Oberperfuss with the confidence of two consecutive World Cup wins (and one more earlier this season). Gernot Schwab will have to win once again to beat his Italian competitor. In the doubles event Beer/Kögl (AUT) had their role changed in Canada. They had started out as the World Cup leaders, had major problems with the track in Grande Prairie and now find themselves as the hunters instead of the hunted. The Russians Porschnev/Lazarev made perfect use of the Austrian´s problems in Canada and took the lead. So the Oberperfuss track which hosted the 1996 World Championships will see some breathtaking decisions. And last not least a bit of maths will be required as the least World Cup result of the season is taken out of calculation. Not only once this final cut has brought about the one or the other surprise.

Track Info:

Length: 1180 meters
Start Elevation: 1340 meters
Finish Elevation: 1180 meters
Difference of Elevation: 160 meters
Average Descent: 13,7%

Programme:

Friday, March 10th, 2006:
morning session: training runs
12.30pm: 1st competition run doubles
1.45pm: 2nd competition run doubles
afterwards: 1st competition run women

Saturday, March 11th, 2006:
12.00pm: 1st competition run men
afterwards: 2nd competition run women
3.00pm: 2nd competition run men

Chris Karl
FIL Media Service

Photo (c) Nikolaus Wagner