ALPINE SKI. The Austrian resorts of Sölden and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl were announced as a U.S. Ski Team partner Friday afternoon during a special event in downtown Innsbruck that featured Olympic champions Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn, Ted Ligety and Julia Mancuso.

Bode Miller (USA) in Sölden, Photo credit: Christoph Schöch / Sölden

The three-year agreement – announced one week prior to the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup opener in Sölden - names the resort as the official European Training base for the men's alpine through 2014, including lodging for athletes and athletic staff. It also includes logo placements on Spyder uniform turtlenecks: Soelden for men and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl for women alpine athletes.

The US-Skiteam Press Conference in Innsbruck, Photo credit: Sölden

"Sölden has a successful history of hosting World Cup races and therefore has all the experience necessary to produce high caliber training venues," said U.S. Ski Team Alpine Director Patrick Riml. "Those venues will support the U.S. Ski Team's continued World Cup success and aid in preparation for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi."

"We look forward to supporting this strong team," said Oliver Schwarz, Oetztal Tourism Director. "It's easy to identify 100 percent with the athletes and coaches of the U.S. Ski Team. They embody what Sölden and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl stand for - sport, lifestyle and entertainment."

Lindsey Vonn (USA), Press Conference in Innsbruck, Photo credit: Sölden

Comprised of three peaks over 3000 meters, Sölden boasts some of the most extensive skiable acreage in Europe. One step higher – Obergurgl-Hochgurgl offers ski in, ski out accommodation from mid November to early May.

"The mentality of Sölden is about being active and having fun and that's a perfect fit for me and for our team," said Miller, a two-time World Cup overall champion and Olympic gold medalist. "Plus the amount of skiable terrain in Sölden is unbelievable, which equates to any number of quality training opportunities and amazing freeskiing."

FISalpine.com
Friday 14 October 2011