Only three days break had the athletes before they had to come together again in Olang/Valdaora in Italy, as today, Thursday, the first training runs are held already. Even though Olang is only the third race of the season, some will be able to build a solid basis for the rest of the season. If Ekatherina Lavrentjeva (RUS) manages the hattrick, it will be very hard for her competitors to beat her in the overall ranking. The double´s event is seeing a head-to-head fight between the experienced double Reinhard Beer/Herbert Kögl and the rookies of the year Christian Schatz/Gerhard Mühlberger (both AUT). In the men´s event the Austrians, who rediscovered their seemingly long lost qualities, brought a very refreshing change into the Italian dominance of past years. But it is still to see whether Gernot Schwab and Gerald Kammerlander are strong enough to beat current World Cup leader Patrick Pigneter (ITA).

Following a long tradition, the races in Olang/Valdaora will be held as night events.

Programme in Olang/Valdaora:

Thursday, 19.1.2006:
19:00h: Start of Training Runs

Friday, 20.1.2006:
15:00h: Training Runs
17:45h: 1st Competition Run Doubleseaters
afterwards: 1st Competition Run Women
19:00h: 2nd Competition Run Doubleseaters
afterwards: 2nd Competition Run Women
20:30h: Training Run Men

Saturday, 21. 1.2006:
18:00h: 2nd Competition Run Men
afterwards 2nd Competition Run Men
21:00h: Prize Giving Ceremony

Track Info:
Length: 1008,5m
Altitude Start: 1223,43m
Altitude Finish: 1105,75m
Difference in Altitude: 117,68m
Average Descent: 11,7%
Maximum Descent: 19,2%