Umhausen (ck) - It has become a classic already, the race in Umhausen in Tyrol. With their “Grantau” course the organizers have a track which is more or less weather proof. Not even last year´s spring like temperatures caused a problem for Umhausen. So the next World Cup points will be distributed at the site of the 2006 European Champions.
Gernot Schwab (AUT) has won the title there and he will most likely be the strongest opponent for World Cup leader Patrick Pigneter (ITA) who could win the last two World Cups in Umhausen.
Local star Melanie Batkowski will certainly complete the trio fighting for the top spot with Ekatherina Lavrentjeva (RUS) and Renate Gietl (ITA) as the usual strong contenders.
The final runs of the men´s and women´s competition will be held as a night event on Saturday whereas the double seater´s race will be decided in the morning hours already. It will have to be seen whether the Polish team of Laszczak/Waniczek can repeat their good performance of Passeier and challenge the Austrians, Russians and Italians once again.

Recent news from Russia about them being unable to host the GERMANPIPE World Cup final were taken with irritation. Due to “organisational problems” the two races had to be cancelled, they said. FIL president Josef Fendt personally asked Russia´s president Valeri Silakov to explain the situation. They did not get the expected financial support from the City of Moscow and therefore cannot organize the races was given as a first answer.
Replacement sites and dates will be fixed and announced the coming weekend in Umhausen.

Track Info “Grantau”:
Length: 1000m
Elevation Start: 1160m
Elevation Finish: 1040m
Difference: 120m
Average Descent: 12,1%
Programme:
Friday, 11.1.2008:
12.00pm: 1.Training run women and men
02.00pm: 2.Training run women and men
04.00pm: 1.Training run doubles
06.00pm: 2.Trainings run doubles
afterwards Opening Ceremony
Saturday, 12.1.2008:
10.00am: 1.competition run doubles
11:30am: 2.competition run doubles
03.00pm: 1.competition run women and men
06.00pm: 2.competition run women and men
08.00pm: Medal Ceremonies

ck
FIL Media Service