Media contact:
Tom Boyd Chief of Media Vail Valley Foundation 970-300-2126 tboyd@vvf.org
Photo Manager:
Francis Bompard Photo Manager 970-300-2126 francis@zoom-agence.fr
Main registration/Hyatt:
970-748-5901
Online information:
bcworldcup.com
Phone app:
BC Village Experience
Dear members of the media, Welcome to one of the most exciting race weeks on the World Cup circuit. With millions of spectators world-wide, and a new generation of talented athletes just coming into their own, we’ve seen first-hand that ski racing is a thriving sport with passionate fans and a promising future. That’s why, this year, race fans will have more ways than ever to get involved in a bigger, better Audi FIS Birds of Prey World Cup race week. We’ve created a new grandstand layout and Red Tail Stadium that, together with on-course viewing, remain free and open to the public. We also welcome the premier year of the EverBank America’s Winter Opening, which will animate the Beaver Creek Village with concerts, activities, and festivities to help us welcome the start of winter. We hope you’ll join us as the event bring more races, music, excitement and festivities to both Vail and Beaver Creek in 2016 and beyond. On behalf of the team at the Vail Valley Foundation, our incredible volunteers, our partners, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, the International Ski Federation, the U.S. Forest Service and everyone who works tirelessly to put together this singular event, we welcome you to World Cup in the Rockies. Sincerely, Mike Imhof
President and CEO Vail Valley Foundation
Photo of Hannes Reichelt in 2014 by Jonathan Selkowitz.
Table of contents 1
General information
3
Notable racers
9
Transportation map
12
EverBank America’s Winter Opening schedule of events
15
Birds of Prey course profile
17
Previous Birds of Prey Winners
19
Birds of Prey by the numbers
21
Schedule
Photo of 2015 AWSC finish stadium by Logan Robertson.
General information Media parking:
Parking is free at the base of Beaver Creek Resort in Avon, with access to the resort via a free bus system. Buses run every 5-10 minutes from 5:20 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Media transportation:
Transportation from the Village to the Red Tail Finish Stadium will be via a free shuttle system. Credentialed media can show their credential to gain priority to board transportation from the Beaver Creek Village to the venue. Shuttles will depart every 5-10 minutes. Shuttles will begin running on Monday, November 30, with full bus service in place on Tuesday, December 1, for the first day of Downhill Training.
Main Press Center hours: Main Press Center:
7 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Main Press Center will located on the lower floor of the Talons Restaurant, immediately adjacent to the Finish Stadium on Beaver Creek Mountain. The Talons Press Center will open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and will close at 6 p.m. each day. Additional workstations are available at Ford Hall in the Park Hyatt for journalists who need to work past 6 p.m.
Internet access:
Complimentary wi-fi is provided to media in the Main Press Center and the Mixed Zone area. This wi-fi is 2Mbps up/down. Please do not share the wi-fi password with anyone. Please keep our wi-fi service as fast as possibly by using it for journalistic purposes only.
Phone lines:
The deadline for ordering a phone line in advance was Nov. 24.
Photo meeting:
Monday, Nov. 30 after the Team Captain’s meeting. Ford Hall, Park Hyatt Hotel, Beaver Creek Village.
On-course photography:
All photographers wishing to be considered for on-course photography must attend the photo meeting, and or work directly with photo manager Francis Bompard.
Film and video:
Infront Sports holds the international TV, radio and multimedia rights to this event, while the U.S. rights are held by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association. International television and radio networks, production and Internet companies are requested to send a copy of the credential application form to Infront for approval of their accreditation request.
*Schedules subject to change. Check with registration for updated information.
Notable racers & past BOP results Ted Ligety Nation: USA Hometown: Park City, Utah Age: 31 World Cup Wins: 25 Discipline titles: 5 GS overall titles World Championships Medals: 7 Olympic Medals: 2 Birds of Prey Wins: 5 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/28, SG/11, GS/1 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/42, SG/5, GS/1 2012 Birds of Prey: SG/4, GS/1 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/22, SG/DNF, GS/2, GS/1, SL/13 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF, GS/1 2009 Birds of Prey: SC/DNF, GS/4 2008 Birds of Prey: GS/2, SG/7 2007 Birds of Prey: SC/8, GS/4, SG/23 Hannes Reichelt Nation: Austria Hometown: Radstadt Age: 35 World Cup Wins: 8 World Cup Podiums: 34 World Cup Titles: 1 discipline (SG) World Championships Medals: 1 Birds of Prey wins: 2 (both SG) 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/8, SG/1, GS/25 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/3 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/24, SG/3, GS/12 2011 Birds of Prey: DG/10, SG/5, GS/5 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/13 2009 Birds of Prey: GS/6 2008 Birds of Prey: DH/46, SG/10, GS/DNF 2007 Birds of Prey: DH/44, SG/1, GS/7
Photo of Kjetil Jansrud in 2013 by Jonathan Selkowitz.
Kjetil Jansrud Nation: Norway Hometown: Vinstra Age: 30 World Cup Wins: 10 World Cup Podiums: 25 World Cup Titles: 2 discipline (DH, SG) World Championships Medals: 1 Olympic Medals: 3 Birds of Prey Wins: 1 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/1, SG/2, GS/15 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/12, SG/9, GS/17 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/3, SG/6 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/26, SG/6, GS/3, GS/7 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/10, GS/2 2009 Birds of Prey: DH/23, SC/11, GS/5 2008 Birds of Prey: SG/19, GS/4 2005 Birds of Prey: SL/4
Aksel Lund Svindal Nation: Norway Hometown: Kjeller Age: 32 World Cup Wins: 25 World Cup Titles: 2 Overall, 9 Discipline World Championships Medals: 8 Olympic Medals: 3 Birds of Prey Wins: 4 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/6, SG/6 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/1, SG/7, GS/11 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/2, GS/6 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/2, GS/9T, GS/6, SL/DNQ 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/9, GS/5 2009 Birds of Prey: GS/3, DH/3, SC/6 2008 Birds of Prey: GS/3, DH/1, SG/1 2007 Birds of Prey: Injured in DH Training Marcel Hirscher Nation: Austria Hometown: Annaberg Age: 26 World Cup Wins: 31 Podiums: 73 World Cup Titles: 4 overall, 5 discipline Disciplines: 3 World Championships Medals: 4 Olympic Medals: 1 Birds of Prey Wins: 1 2014 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF, GS/3 2013 Birds of Prey: SG/16, GS/3 2012 Birds of Prey: GS/2 2011 Birds of Prey: GS/1, GS/2, SL/3 2010 Birds of Prey: GS/3 2009 Birds of Prey: GS/29 2008 Birds of Prey: GS/15
Photo of Alex Pinturault in 2013 by Jonathan Selkowitz.
Alexis Pinturault Nation: France Hometown: Courchevel Age: 24 World Cup Wins: 9 World Cup Podiums: 28 World Championships Medals: 1 Olympic Medals: 1 2014 Birds of Prey: SG/3, GS/2 2013 Birds of Prey: SG/18T, GS/5 2012 Birds of Prey: GS/5 2011 Birds of Prey: GS/9T, GS/4, SL/DNF Steven Nyman Nation: USA Hometown: Provo, Utah Age: 33 World Cup Wins: 3 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/3, SG/DNF
2013 Birds of Prey: DH/21, SG/37 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/33 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/25 2009 Birds of Prey: DH/31 2008 Birds of Prey: DH/7, SG/25 2007 Birds of Prey: SC/DNF, DH/2, GS/DNQ, SG/DNF Andrew Weibrecht Nation: USA Hometown: Lake Placid, New York Age: 29 World Cup Top 10s: 3 Olympic Medals: 2 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/30, SG/10 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/DNF, SG/20 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/37 Birds of Prey: DH/32, SG/10 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF 2009 Birds of Prey: GS/DNF, SC/19, DH/11 2008 Birds of Prey: DH/DNF, SG/35 2007 Birds of Prey: SC/14, DH/10, SG/DNF Dominik Paris Nation: Italy Age: 26 Hometown: Merano World Cup Wins: 4 World Cup Podiums: 10 World Championships Medals: 1 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/4, SG/5 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/9, SG/DNF 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/29 2011 Birds of Prey: DH/49 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF 2009 Birds of Prey: DH/23, DH/36
Photo of Marco Sullivan in 2012 by Jonathan Selkowitz.
Marco Sullivan Nation: USA Hometown: Squaw Valley, California Age: 35 World Cup Top 10s: 5 World Cup Wins: 1 World Cup Podiums: 4 2014 Birds of Prey: DH/38 2013 Birds of Prey: DH/28, SG/47 2012 Birds of Prey: DH/18 Birds of Prey: DH/28, SG/43 2010 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF 2009 Birds of Prey: DH/14 2008 Birds of Prey: DH/DNF, SG/22
Photo by Jack Affleck Vail Resorts
2015 EverBank America’s Winter Opening Schedule of Events This year, the Vail Valley Foundation and Vail Resorts announced the phase one launch of a new festival of culture and music designed to surround and compliment the iconic Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week (visit AmericasWinterOpening.com for more). The new event is called “EverBank America’s Winter Opening,” with a tagline, “Where It Begins,” and it ushers in a new vision for what early winter can become in Vail and Beaver Creek, with multiple concerts, festivities, ski races and other activities throughout the Valley. EverBank is the official bank of the event. Thursday, December 3, 4-6 p.m. • EverBank America’s Winter Opening Kick-Off Party @
Birds of Prey Way in Beaver Creek Village • Free Concert with Colorado Bluegrass band, Hardscrabble • Kettle Kurling World {Tea} Cup Tournament with VIP, GoPro, SkiPodz & US Ski Team Grand Prizes* • Sponsor Expo Areas • Food & Drink Specials at the Pumphouse Bar. Friday, December 4: • 8 a.m.: VIP & Club Open, Red Tail Finish Area • 10:45 a.m.: Men’s Downhill Race, Birds of Prey Racecourse • Birds of Prey Way Activities in Beaver Creek Village: • 10 a.m.: Birds of Prey Way opens with sponsor expo areas • 12 p.m.: Free ice skating • 1 p.m.: Pumphouse Bar opens with food & drink specials • 2 p.m.: Free Concert with Funky Johnson • 2 p.m.: Downhill Dash Interactive Racecourse • 4 p.m.: Free Concert with Natural Geometry • 4 p.m.: Athlete Autograph Signings (ends at 4:30pm) • 5:45 p.m.: GoPro, SkiPodz, VIP & US Ski Team giveaways • 6 p.m.: Fireworks over Beaver Creek Village (time approximate) • 6 p.m.: Black Diamond Ball, Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch (tickets required) • 7 p.m.: Warren Miller’s STREIF: One Hell of a Ride, Vilar Performing Arts Center (tickets required) Saturday, December 5: • 8 a.m.: VIP & Club Open, Red Tail Finish Area • 11 a.m.: Men’s Super G Race, Birds of Prey Racecourse • Birds of Prey Way Activities in Beaver Creek Village: • 10 a.m.: Birds of Prey Way opens with sponsor expo areas • 12 p.m.: Free ice skating • 1 p.m.: Pumphouse Bar opens with food & drink specials • 2 p.m.: Free Concert with First Chair • 2 p.m.: Downhill Dash Interactive Racecourse • 3 p.m.: Warren Miller’s STREIF: One Hell of a Ride, Vilar Performing Arts Center (tickets required)
• • • •
4 p.m.: Free Concert with Renegade Sons 4 p.m.: Athlete Autograph Signings (ends at 4:30pm) 5:45 p.m.: GoPro, SkiPodz, VIP & US Ski Team giveaways 6 p.m.: Fireworks over Beaver Creek Village (time approximate) • 7 p.m.: Warren Miller’s STREIF: One Hell of a Ride, Vilar Performing Arts Center (tickets required) Sunday, December 6: • 8 a.m.: VIP & Club Open, Red Tail Finish Area • 9:45 a.m.: Men’s Giant Slalom Run 1, Birds of Prey Racecourse • 12:45 a.m.: Men’s Giant Slalom Run 2, Birds of Prey Racecourse • Birds of Prey Way Activities in Beaver Creek Village: • 10 a.m.: Birds of Prey Way opens with sponsor expo areas, Beaver Creek Village • 12 p.m.: Free ice skating • 1 p.m.: Pumphouse Bar opens with food & drink specials * Schedule subject to change
Previous Birds of Prey winners 1997 DH DH SG
1999 SL GS DH SG
2000 DH SG
Kristian Ghedina, ITA Andreas Schifferer, AUT Hermann Maier, AUT Didier Plaschy, SUI Hermann Maier, AUT Hermann Maier, AUT Hermann Maier, AUT Hermann Maier, AUT Fredrik Nyberg, SWE
2001
No races held
2002
DH Stephan Eberharter, AUT SG Didier Cuche, SUI
2003
DH Daron Rahlves, USA DH Hermann Maier, AUT SG Bjarne Solbakken, NOR
2004
DH SG GS SL
2005 DH SG
Bode Miller, USA Giorgio Rocca, ITA
GS SL
2006 SC DH GS SL
Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR Bode Miller, USA Massimiliano Blardone, ITA Andre Myhrer
2007 SC DH GS SG
2008 DH SG GS
2009
SC DH GS
2010 SG GS
Bode Miller, USA Stephan Goergl, AUT Lasse Kjus, NOR Benjamin Raich, AUT
2011
Daron Rahlves, USA Hannes Reichelt, AUT
2012
DH SG GS GS DH
Daniel Albrecht, SUI Michael Walchhofer, AUT Daniel Albrecht, SUI Hannes Reichelt, AUT Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR Benjamin Raich, AUT Carlo Janka, SUI Carlo Janka, SUI Carlo Janka, SUI Georg Streitberger, AUT Ted Ligety, USA Bode Miller, USA Sandro Viletta, SUI Marcel Hirscher, AUT Ted Ligety, USA Christof Innerhofer, ITA
Photo of Bode Miller in 2012 by Jonathan Selkowitz.
SG GS SG SL
2013 DH SG GS DH SG GS
2014 DH SG GS
Matteo Marsaglia, ITA Ted Ligety, USA Lindsey Vonn, USA Ivica Kostelic, CRO Lara Gut, SUI Lara Gut, SUI Jessica Lindell-Vikarby, SWE Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR Patrick Kueng, SUI Ted Ligety, USA Kjetil Jansrud NOR Hannes Reichelt AUT Ted Ligety, USA
Birds of Prey by the numbers 1.9
Miles of A-Net with slip-skirt
10.05
Miles of B-Net
85
Net Towers
2034’
Length in feet of the longest A-Net in the world: Net #1, ‘The Big Kahuna Net’ (and it could get 500’ longer some day…)
28,000
Feet of A-Net Rigging Cable
1,775
“Cookies” for net anchoring
1,700
Carabineer/Pully set-ups for net suspension
17
Number of times course has been run as Birds of Prey
2,500
Crowd Control Fence poles for 4 miles of fence
7
Winch Cats
31,000
Annual course maintenance & construction hours put in by volunteers and professional staff
01:39.59
DH Course Record: Daron Rahlves, USA
3.5+
Miles of climbing on A-Net towers to rig all the A-Nets each year
22,500’
2” Interduct
2,250’
4” Interduct
6,000’
Timing cable
Photo by Greg Johnson.
2015 AUDI BIRDS OF PREY TV SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES MST) Fri., Dec. 4 – 10:30 a.m. – Men’s downhill – NBCSN – LIVE * Sat., Dec. 5 – 11:00 a.m. – Men’s super G – NBCSN – LIVE * Sun., Dec. 6 – 3:00 p.m. – Men’s giant slalom – NBC