Sölden, Austria – The wintersport sponsor Milka starts its 16th World Cup season and presented the new Milka Ski team on this occasion in Sölden. Six international female alpine skiers will race with a lilac helmet this year: Michaela Kirchgasser from Austria, Maria Höfl-Riesch from Germany, Sarka Zahrobska from Czech Republic, Tina Maze from Slovenia and the new members in the team: Elena Curtoni from Italy and Tessa Worley from France.

Milka Skieur d'Or 2011 Winner Ivica Kostelic with Michaela Kirchgasser (AUT), Tina Maze (SLO) & Elena Curtoni (ITA).

Right after the Milka team presentation the Skieur d’Or the trophy was given to the sportsmen/sportswomen with the best achievements in the previous season from the AIJS (Association Internationale des Journalistes de Ski).

Skieur d’Or – Trophee Serge Lang

Ivica Kostelic, world class skier since several years, convinced the jury of journalists through his excellent achievements and was glad about the price, which was given to him by the new AIJS president Gernot Mussner. The 31-year old Croatian, the brother of the ski legend Janica Kostelic, received about one third of all votes. The charismatic athlete had his World Cup debut in 1998 and after the surprising triumph at the Slalom World Cup 2001, where he won despite the high start number of 64, lots of successes did follow. 2003 he could call himself Slalom Worldchampion and all in all he won three Olympic medals until now.

Photographers... The Milka press conference at the Skiweltcup Sölden

The previous season though, was his most successful one: He won the Overall World Cup, the Slalom and Super Combination Discipline World Cup as well as a Bronze medal at the FIS Alpine Ski Worldchampionship in Super G. At the beginning of his career he concentrated on the Slalom discipline, but over the past years he turned out to be a perfect all-rounder, who will start in all disciplines again this season.

Six times a lilac helmet – The new Milka team

Besides the new Slogan “Dare to be tender”, Milka supports also new athletes, who will race with a lilac helmet during this World Cup season.

First picture together! The Milka press conference at the Skiweltcup Sölden was great! Can't wait for the first race! - Elena Curtoni, Tina Maze, Michaela Kirchgasser, Tessa Worley and Šárka Záhrobská.

The following Milka Ski Stars are therefore responsible for (even) more tenderness in this season:

From now on, with Elena Curtoni, also Italy is represented in the Milka team. Only 20 years old, she can already look back at some great results. After several Europe Cup races and podiums she could win Gold at the FIS Junior Worldchampionship last year and on top she reached the 6th place in Super G at the FIS Alpine Ski Worldchampionship in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Elena and her new helmet

Besides Elena, Tessa Worley is new in the team. She represents France, following Ingrid Jacquemod, who decided to finish her World Cup career in the past season. Tessa won a Bronze medal at the team event last year at the FIS Alpine Ski Worldchampionships in Garmisch and was 2nd at the Giant Slalom World Cup.

Michaela Kirchgasser, the likeable Slalom and Giant Slalom racer, will represent Austria also in this season. After winning a Silver medal in the team race at the past Worldchampionships, she wants to proof her talent again at the World Cup races this season.

Sarka Zahrobska, the Slalom specialist from Czech Republic won a Bronze medal in Vancouver 2010 and several World Cup podiums in her past. For the upcoming season she hopes to continue these successes.

The Giant Slalom Worldchampion Tina Maze, looks back at a very successful past season. Beside this Gold medal she achieved a Silver medal in Super Combined in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. On top she could reach the 3rd place of the Overall World Cup. Tina trains again with her own Team “Team to Amaze” this year.

Maria Höfl-Riesch was as well outrageously successful in the past season. She is the best female Alpine skier of the World at the moment as she could reach her greatest goal, winning the Overall World Cup. Additionally she won two Bronze medals (Downhill and Super G) at the Worldchampionship in Garmisch Partenkirchen. In previous seasons she could also proof her allround talent and can name herself double Olympic champion (Vancouver, Super Combined and Slalom).

Maria and her new helmet

For everyone who wants to follow the Milka Ski Stars behind the scenes through the season, the blog www.milkaskistars.com is coming soon. Current news are on top available via www.twitter.com/milkaskistars.

Source: Milka/Kraft Foods
FISalpine.com
Friday 21 October 2011