The FIS Alpine Ski Champions Cup in parallel slalom will take place in Moscow (RUS) on 21st November 2009. For the second consecutive year, the Russian Ski Association will host an Alpine Ski competition in the city of Moscow. Given the success of the inaugural FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Promotional Event last season, the second edition of the event promises to attract high interest.

The world's best alpine skiers have been invited to participate: top-14 male and, for the first time, top-7 female athletes along with three promising Russian athletes (two men and a lady) who will be granted wild cards for the contest. The participating athletes include:

Men

Grange, Jean-Baptiste FRA
Pranger, Manfred AUT
Lizeroux, Julien FRA
Herbst, Reinfried AUT
Hargin, Mattias SWE
Matt, Mario AUT
Hirscher, Marcel AUT
Myhrer, Andre SWE
Rocca, Giorgio ITA
Janyk, Michael CAN
Thaler, Patrick ITA
Razzoli, Giuliano ITA
Missilier, Steve FRA
Hoerl, Wolfgang AUT

Ladies

Riesch, Maria GER
Aubert, Sandrine FRA
Pietilae-Holmner, Maria SWE
Hansdotter, Frida SWE
Jelusic, Ana CRO
Börssen, Therese SWE
Chmelar, Fanny GER

"After the highly successful first edition on 2nd January 2009, we look forward to the 2nd FIS Alpine Ski Champions Cup. The event will now be held earlier in the season, on 21st November, which we believe is a great timing for promotional purposes. This year's competition is more focused on the slalom specialists and we are proud to welcome 11 of the top 14 male racers to Moscow," stated Günter Hujara, FIS Chief Race Director for Alpine men. He added: "The Moscow event has developed an excellent standing in a short time. Only some leading all-round skiers have chosen to skip it to focus on preparation for the Olympic season and their heavy racing schedule with the men's FIS Alpine World Cup downhill and super-G taking place in Lake Louise (CAN) the following week. We will do our utmost to prepare excellent race conditions and hope for great weather for 21st November."

"The first ladies' Champions Cup promises to be an excellent event: led by last year's slalom World Cup winner, we will see a strong field and the athletes and coaches are all very excited. This is a great result despite the fact that there is a technical event the weekend before and after Moscow in the ladies' Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup," commented Atle Skaardal, FIS Chief Race Director for Alpine ladies. "The refined format, a one pole parallel slalom in a knock-out format, is bound to deliver a great show."

New Location

This year, the event will be staged in a brand new location. Located not far from the last event's venue (Moscow State University Square), the new ramp area will offer a wider range of facilities for all participants, from athletes, FIS officials, to guests and spectators.

The competition will be held at the Moscow State Palace of Children's and Youth's Creativity. The new venue will be known as the Moscow Grand Ramp Arena. This year's ramp will be 60 meters high and 35 meters wide, with the total length of the slope about 200 meters. Comparing to the last year's ramp height of 56 meters and length of the slope of about 170 meters, the construction represents another breathtaking venture.

FIS news
20/10/2009