Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ck) - For the fourth of six world cup races the WÜRZ Energy circuit will return to South Tyrol in Italy one more time. Only once, three years ago, a world cup race has been held in Nova Ponente, but it was followed by the 2010 Junior World Championships and the winter resort near the famous “rosegarden” in the Dolomites will host next year’s edition of the world championships. So this season’s world cup will serve as a test event for the 2013 World Championships. In 2009 the usual favourites dominated the 871 meter long track: Patrick Pigneter (ITA) and Ekatharina Lavrentjeva (RUS) were the winners. But Hannes Clara (ITA), who has proven his top form with two second places this season, has become junior world champion on this track. So an exciting duel can be expected. 2010 junior world champion Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) had only one podium finish this season so far, but this is mainly due to the internal competition within the strong Italian women’s team. The doubles’ event this season has been dominated by the head to head race between Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) and Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (RUS) with currently a slight advantage for the Russians. However, Andrzej Laszczak/Damian Waniczek (POL) or Bjoern Kierspel/Christian Wichan (GER) are always good for a surprise. The only reason why they have not scored better results this season, is that they never managed to perform well in two consecutive runs. Training runs in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente will start on Friday, the first race world cup decision will be the doubles’ race on Saturday. Track Info Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente: Length: 871m Altitude Start: 1505m Altitude Finish: 1384m Difference: 121m Average Descent: 13% Maximum Descent: 16% Minimum Descent: 5% Program: Friday, 27.01.2012 01.00pm: 1st Training Run Men 02:30pm: 1st Training Run Doubles 03.15pm: 2nd Training Run Doubles 07.00pm: Opening Ceremony Saturday, 28.01.2012 10:00am: 1st Competition Run Doubles afterwards 1st Training Run Women 11:15am: 2nd Competition Run Doubles Flower Ceremony Doubles 12:00pm: 2nd Training Run Women 12:45pm: 2nd Training Run Men Sunday, 29.01.2012 09:30am: 1st Competition Run Women and Men 11:30am: 2nd Competition Run Women afterwards Flower Ceremony Women 12:00pm: 2nd Competition Run Men afterwards Flower Ceremony Men 02:30pmh: all medal ceremonies