At the end of last seasons some of the youngsters could show up with good results and put some pressure on the “old stars”. Names like Andreas Castiglioni, Gernot Schwab, Renate Kasslatter, Barbara Abart, Sandra Lanthaler and their mates from Russia and Poland were seen on the winning podium more frequently. Still, at the end the experienced generation took all the victories. The Overall World cup went to Italy´s Anton Blasbichler, Gerhard Pilz (AUT) added a European Championship´s gold medal to his collection and in the women´s competition Ekatharina Lavrentjeva (RUS) seems to race in her own league. The double World Cup at the beginning of the season in Canada could have been a bit of an early decision, but now with the new schedule due to a lack of winter, everything is open again. The decisive period in the RED BULL World Cup will be January when one race follows the other. The races in Unterammergau, Oberperfuss und Latzfons will take place within three weekends. At the World Championships in Latsch (ITA) Robert Batkowski (AUT) and the cousins Wolfgang und Andreas Schopf (AUT) will try to defend their titles won in 2003. Sonja Steinacher (ITA) has retired in the meantime. Ever since all important victories went to Ekatharina Lavrentjeva. The World Cup final will be held in Olang (ITA) in February. After^that the juniors will have their season highlight at the European Junior Championships in Kandalaksha (RUS). Where and when the second cancelled race of Grande Prairie will be held has not been decided yet. ck FIL-Media