At the
EVENT PROGRAM BCWORLDCUP.COM
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Elegance is an attitude Aksel Lund Svindal
OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER
Conquest
TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to Beaver Creek . . . . . . . . . . 6 Schedule of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 What Makes A Champion . . . . . . . . . 10 EverBank America’s Winter Opening . 14 Racers To Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Birds of Prey History . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Previous Birds of Prey Winners . . . . . 27 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Results . . . . . . 28 Getting to the Races . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Thanks to our Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . 33
Photo by Eric Schramm, courtesy of USSA.
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ELEVATE YOUR LENDING
EXPERIENCE OFFICIAL BANK OF THE 2015 AUDI BIRDS OF PREY
everbank.com/lending
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WELCOME TO BEAVER CREEK Dear Ski Racing Fans,
VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Welcome to one of the most exciting race weeks on the World Cup
Andy Arnold
Mike Imhof
circuit. With millions of spectators world-wide, and a new generation of
Judy Berkowitz
Chris Jarnot
talented athletes just coming into their own, we’ve seen first-hand that
Jenn Bruno
George Johnson
ski racing is a thriving sport with passionate fans and a promising future.
Susan Campbell
Alexia Jurschak
Steve Coyer
Kent Logan
That’s why, this year, race fans will have more ways than ever to get
Jack Crosby
Doug Lovell
involved in a bigger, better Audi FIS Birds of Prey World Cup race
Andy Daly
Peter May
week. For the first time ever, we have opened up ticketed access to
Ron Davis
Brian Nolan
our hospitality areas to the general public. We’ve also created a new
Bill Esrey
Bobby Patton
grandstand layout and Red Tail Stadium that, together with course-
Johannes Faessler
Michael Price
side viewing, remains free and open to the public.
Tim Finchem
Eric Resnick
Harry Frampton,
Douglas Rippeto
chairman
Dick Rothkopf
Opening, which will animate the Beaver Creek Village with concerts,
Pete Frechette
Ken Schanzer
activities, and festivities to help us welcome the start of winter. We hope
Steve Friedman
Mike Shannon
you’ll join us as the event brings more races, music, excitement and
John Garnsey
Stanley Shuman
festivities to both Vail and Beaver Creek in 2016 and beyond.
Margie Gart
Rod Slifer
We also welcome the inaugural year of the EverBank America’s Winter
Donna Giordano
Ann Smead
On behalf of the team at the Vail Valley Foundation, our incredible
Sheika Gramshammer
Oscar Tang
volunteers, our partners, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort, the U.S.
Martha Head
Fred Tresca
Ski and Snowboard Association, the International Ski Federation, the
Michael Herman
Stewart Turley
U.S. Forest Service and everyone who works tirelessly to put together
Al Hubbard
Betsy Wiegers
this singular event, we welcome you to World Cup in the Rockies.
Bill Hybl
Directors Emeritus Adam Aron Sincerely,
Marlene Boll Bjorn Erik Borgen James Berry Craddock John Galvin
Mike Imhof
Pepi Gramshammer
President and CEO,
Steve Haber
Vail Valley Foundation
Elaine Kelton
Photo by Eric Schramm, courtesy of USSA.
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 Men’s Downhill Training 1
Birds of Prey Way
Men’s Super G Race
Entertainment, Sponsor Expo Area,
11am, Birds of Prey Racecourse
11am, Birds of Prey Racecourse
Live Music, Athlete Signings, Food &
Awards ceremony immediately follows
Drink Specials, Giveaways, Fireworks
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Men’s Downhill Training 2 11am, Birds of Prey Racecourse
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 Men’s Downhill Training 3 11am, Birds of Prey Racecourse
EverBank America’s Winter Opening Kick-Off and Welcome Party Live Music, Entertainment, Sponsor Expo Area, Food & Drink Specials
10am –6pm, Beaver Creek Village
Men’s Downhill Race 10:45am, Birds of Prey Racecourse
8am, Red Tail Stadium bcworldcup.com for tickets
3pm & 7pm, Vilar Performing Arts Center $10 | vilarpac.org for tickets
Awards ceremony immediately follows
Black Diamond Ball 6pm, Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch blackdiamondball.com for tickets
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 VIP and Club Opens 8am, Red Tail Stadium bcworldcup.com for tickets
Warren Miller’s STREIF – One Hell of a Ride
Birds of Prey Way
7pm, Vilar Performing Arts Center $10 | vilarpac.org for tickets
Food & Drink Specials
4pm, Beaver Creek Village
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 VIP and Club Opens
Warren Miller’s STREIF – One Hell of a Ride
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 VIP and Club Opens 8am, Red Tail Stadium bcworldcup.com for tickets
Birds of Prey Way
Entertainment, Sponsor Expo Area, 10am – 4pm, Beaver Creek Village
Men’s Giant Slalom Run 1 9:45am, Birds of Prey Racecourse
Men’s Giant Slalom Run 2 12:45pm, Birds of Prey Racecourse Awards ceremony immediately follows
Entertainment, Sponsor Expo Area, Live Music, Athlete Signings, Food & Drink Specials, Giveaways, Fireworks 10am –6pm, Beaver Creek Village
Photo by Logan Robertson
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*All events subject to change
KORBEL SALUTES NORTH AMERICA’S WORLD CUP RACES.
C E L E B R AT E R E S P O N S I B LY.
korbel.com | responsibility.org ©2015 F. Korbel & Bros., Guerneville, Sonoma County, CA. Producers of fine California méthode champenoise champagnes for 133 ears. KORBEL is a registered trademark. Audi is a registered trademark of Audi A.G. Corp. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc. All rights reserved.
What does it mean to be a CHAMPION? In all the great ski racing videos, there is a moment when the ultra-slow-motion camera comes into play. The world seems to stop. The soundtrack dies away. We see the racer at the apex of a turn, the snow arcing away in a glittering wave, the gate warped, the skis grinding, and the absolute essence of determination chiseled onto the jaw of the competitor.
In a sport where every tick of the clock matters, something
images, Team members
remarkable happens when we use film to take a few milliseconds
are exploring what
and stretch them out, like a microscope zooming in on a moment
it takes to make a
in time. It gives us a view into the crucial moment of a race, the
champion as they seek
do-or-die maneuver, where all the countless hours of training,
to hold title as the
dreaming, and seeking self-mastery come together in a pinpoint
best ski team in the
of time. The racer will find his line or miss it, win the race or lose
world. They even have
it, become a champion…or not.
a mascot—the adorable rescue dog “Champ.”
These moments, and others like them, have been a topic of particular interest this year for the U.S. Ski Team via their
Being Champ seems
Connect with Champ on Instagram
#WhatMakesAChamp campaign. In video, text, words and
to come easy to the
@champforgold
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in 2007 at the World Cup on Birds of Prey and 2015 at the World Championships. But is a champion determined solely by their rankings, medals and trophies? Not at all, said U.S. speed racer Bryce Bennett, who measures a towering 6-foot 7-inches in height. Measuring a champion isn’t a numbers game. Champ keeps the athletes in good spirits at the gym.
“No one truly understands every aspect of this sport,” Bennett carefree puppy, who has fast become a champion of social media
said. “That’s what drives me—to understand the ins and outs
(@champforgold on Instagram). For the humans on his team,
through self-mastery and trial and error, and one day inspire kids
defining the term ‘champion’ is a more complicated task. Each
to go after fulfillment and passion in their work, instead of just
racer has their own definition, and race fans have also sent in their
doing whatever it takes to get to the top.”
ideas via the #WhatMakesAChamp campaign. “I envision a champion more like a master craftsman,” he said. Eight-year-old racer Auden Pankonin of Hudson, Wisconsin, won
“A craftsman gets a great deal of satisfaction from building
the #WhatMakesAChamp contest and earned a trip to Copper
his product. He works tirelessly, figuring out ways to make his
Mountain to race against Ted Ligety in November. Practice, Pankonin
products more effective, how to make them more efficiently, while
said, is the number one reason people become a champion. In fact,
never overlooking even then tiniest of details.”
he said, he “loves to practice.” And when he’s done practicing? He practices some more. No doubt the hard-working members of
When it comes to understanding the fine details of self-mastery,
the U.S. Ski Team can identify because, well, if you don’t love to
there is perhaps no one on the U.S. Ski Team more adept than
practice, you’re not going to last long as a ski racer.
Ted Ligety—who seeks an astounding sixth Giant Slalom victory in a row at the 2015 Audi Birds of Prey Giant Slalom December 6.
“Personality, hard work, and sportsmanship,” are the three elements that make a champion, said contest runner up Colin
Ligety agrees with Bennett. Whether you’re covered in gold medals
Rathbone, of Groton, Massachusetts. And the competition’s
or still seeking your first podium, the measure of a champion
bronze medalist, Dasha Romanov of Denver, Colorado said, “A
comes down to those critical moments—the ones often captured by
champion is someone who can overcome many physical and
the super slow-motion camera—that demand your best.
mental struggles.” “Being a champion is about doing your best in the most crucial These struggles might one day lead to glory, recognition, and
situation,” Ligety said. “Whether it’s winning or losing, it’s having
a few moments basking in the limelight, but as any big-name
all those moments come together at the perfect moment, when
athlete can attest, the vast majority of an athlete’s challenges are
you give it your all, and when you compete under high pressure
conquered in less dazzling light.
and can still be successful at it.”
Perhaps no one on the U.S. Ski Team knows this better than
At Beaver Creek this weekend, there will be as many variations
Andrew Weibrecht. A series of injuries meant that much of
on the definition of ‘champion’ as there are racers in the starting
his pre-Sochi Olympic preparation was done in quiet physical
gate. Each athlete faces his own challenges, his own demons that
therapy sessions, away from the commotion and excitement of
must be overcome, his own angels that must be embraced. All
the racecourse.
of the focus, the hours of practice, the time spent seeking selfmastery…for each of them, it will all come down to one singular
When his moment came, Weibrecht did what all champions
moment somewhere on the Birds of Prey course.
do: He performed his absolute best at the crucial moment. For Weibrecht, it was enough to earn him a second Olympic medal at
The question is: when that crucial moment comes, who will deliver?
Sochi, a silver in Super G to go with his bronze in Super G from the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. He also has two top-10
STORY BY TOM BOYD
finishes on the intimidating Birds of Prey track, which he earned Andrew Weibrecht photo by Eric Schramm, Champ photos courtesy of USSA. BCWORLDCUP.COM | #BCWORLDCUP
11
“WITHOUT GOOD ADVICE, I WOULDN’T BE WHERE I AM TODAY.”
Putnam Investments understands that success requires teamwork. That’s why we are committed to advisors who know that a sound financial strategy is critical to your success. TED LIGETY Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Five-time World Champion
PHOTO: TOWNSEND BESSENT/VAILDAILY.COM
You. Your advisor. And Putnam. That’s a winning team.
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Where It Begins INAUGURAL EVERBANK AMERICA’S WINTER OPENING BRINGS NEW VISION TO WORLD CUP RACE WEEK In mountain towns across America, early
“There has always been a festive atmosphere around our races,”
December brings a building buzz of
energy into the fore.”
eagerness for the season to begin.
Imhof said. “Now, we’re taking that next step to really bring all that
In 2016 and beyond, organizers will go even bigger, and have plans to light up Vail Village and Vail Mountain as well.
In the Vail Valley, the anticipation is so forceful that it almost becomes a corporal
Recently, the legacy of the American Ski Classic came to an end.
thing. It feels like you could pull it down from
bring back some of the elements that made the Ski Classic a
the shelf and serve it to your kids at the
success. Current plans for 2016 and beyond include a legends
dinner table. If it were an apple, you could
Beaver Creek, a dining with the stars social event, and the creation
slice it. If it were a wave, you could surf it. If it
of a permanent location for the International Ski Hall of Fame.
were a horse, you could ride it, and if it were a
There are significant changes at the Red Tail Finish Stadium as
dog, you could pet it.
well. For the first time ever, hospitality at the races is open to the
However, in 2016, the EverBank America’s Winter Opening will
race under the lights at Golden Peak, headliner concerts in Vail and
general public via a daily, ticketed system that offers both the EverBank Finish Line VIP section and the Club section.
Woof. The EverBank Finish Line VIP area includes access to fine For years, the Vail Valley Foundation has been barking up the
breakfast and lunch cuisine, as well as beverage service, on the
right tree by hosting the Audi Birds of Prey World Cup race week.
top floor of the Talons restaurant. EverBank Finish Line VIPs can
Now, with a surrounding series of events, parties, music and more
also enjoy race action from the viewing platform on skier’s left of
called the EverBank America’s Winter Opening, the Vail Valley
the finish area.
Foundation has pinned the tail directly onto the donkey. The Club also offers breakfast, lunch, and beverage service. “This is an event that’s meant to take all of the early-season
Located at the base of the finish area, the Club section is the
excitement and energy, and give folks a place to come together
ultimate in hospitality experience with guaranteed seating in its
with their families and really enjoy every aspect of what we have
own tent and private viewing deck along the course-facing side of
going on in the Valley during this time of year,” said Vail Valley
the structure.
Foundation President and CEO Mike Imhof. “This is the time and place to celebrate the opening of the winter season. This is where
Taken together, these new elements of early December offer a
it begins.”
whole new set of reasons to enjoy race week in Beaver Creek. In years to come, the event is set to become the premier celebration
Indeed, #WhereItBegins is the hashtag for this new event which, in year one, will animate Beaver Creek Village with parties, music, givaways, a bier garden, and all of the other accoutrements that rightly belong at one of the premier venues on the World Cup tour. 14
BCWORLDCUP.COM | #BCWORLDCUP
of winter’s opening in the nation.
Photo by Logan Robertson. BCWORLDCUP.COM | #BCWORLDCUP
15
TED LIGE T Y
OVER
Photo by: Ted Ligety
MOUNTS
ACCESSORIES
MANAGE + SHARE
GOPRO APP + GOPRO STUDIO
#BEAHERO
Proud to support TEAM USA and the athlete in all of us.
RACERS TO WATCH:
SIX IN A ROW Can Ted Shred Win an Astounding Six Birds of Prey Giant Slalom Races in a Row?
Ted Ligety Age: 31 Hometown: Park City, Utah 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
Dominik Paris 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
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Alexis Pinturault Age: 24 Hometown: Courchevel 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 Age: 33 Hometown: Provo, Utah World Cup Wins: 3 World Cup Podiums: 6 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
Aksel Lund Svindal
Marco Sullivan
Age: 32 Hometown: Kjeller
Age: 35 Hometown: Squaw Valley, California
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 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
Andrew Weibrecht Age: 29 Hometown: Lake Placid, New York 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
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 2011 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
Kjetil Jansrud Age: 30 Hometown: Vinstra 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
Hannes Reichelt Age: 35 Hometown: Radstadt 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 Photos by Jonathan Selkowitz BCWORLDCUP.COM | #BCWORLDCUP
19
PLAY WELL
Escape this winter to Beaver Creek’s award-winning Westin Riverfront, home to Spa Anjali, Maya by Chef Richard Sandoval and a state-of-the-art Athletic Club. Enjoy spacious studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and direct skier access via the Riverfront Express Gondola. Ski season rates start at $299 per night. westinriverfrontbeavercreek.com | 866.949.1616 ©2014–2015 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Westin and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms & conditions visit westin.com
THE WESTIN RIVERFRONT RESORT & SPA AT BEAVER CREEK MOUNTAIN 126 Riverfront Lane, PO Box 9690, Avon Colorado 81620
WORLD-CLASS CARE FOR A WORLD-CLASS EVENT Flight For Life Colorado—the nation’s first hospital-based air ambulance service— is proud to serve as the official air medical sponsor for this year’s Audi Birds of Prey competition. We are Colorado’s non-profit air medical provider, delivering Critical Care to remote areas, serving a 10-state area and supporting high-country search and rescue teams. We share your commitment to stellar performance. To learn more, visit flightforlifecolorado.org.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING– The Legacy of the Birds of Prey Course Ski racing fandom seems to rise and fall in a particular pattern. Every four years, the sport rockets into the top echelon of international television ratings at the Winter Olympics. Then, in non-Olympic years, the sport becomes the domain of die-hards, where only core fans from the world’s mountainous regions follow the sport.
Or, that’s how the old story goes.
In 2015, Vail and Beaver Creek proved that there’s a lot more to the story, as Colorado and the world showed record-setting support for the FIS 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships. More than 220,000 spectators came to the races in person, and the event had an overall media impact of more than 800 million with more than 70 hours of live coverage in 27 nations—all supported by more than 2,200 volunteers. The stands were filled, race fans were out en force, and the world watched one of the most dramatic, inspiring displays of athletic talent that ski racing has ever seen. The excitement surrounding ski racing in the Vail Valley is no anomaly. In fact, it finds its roots on a sunny weekend on Vail Mountain in March 1967, when Jean-Claude Killy (FRA) and Nancy Greene (CAN) topped the Giant Slalom podiums in one of the first-ever World Cup ski racing competitions. 22
BCWORLDCUP.COM | #BCWORLDCUP
He’s now the President and CEO of the USSA, but in 1989, Tiger Shaw was a racer for the United States at the 1989 World Alpine Ski Championships held in Vail and Beaver Creek. Vail and Beaver Creek went on to host the 1999 World Championships, as well as the 2015 World Championships this past February.
On that weekend, the Vail Valley marked its place on the World Cup circuit, and forty-nine seasons later it remains one of only a handful of original locations that are still part of the venerable World Cup tour. Beaver Creek is a relative newcomer to the World Cup scene. The course was built in the summer of 1997 in preparation for the 1999 World Alpine Ski Championships. The first competition on Birds of Prey took place December 2–6, 1997, with a pair of men’s World Cup Downhill races and a men’s World Cup Super G. The course was officially opened with a ceremonial Native American blessing, performed by tribal elder Red Ute, along with a traditional ribbon cutting. Germany’s Stefan Krauss was the first racer down Birds of Prey in the opening day of Downhill training and Italy’s Kristian Ghedina was the first race winner, capturing the opening Downhill on December 4, with a time of 1:41.16. The remaining two races of the inaugural weekend of competition were won by Austrians Andreas Schifferer (Downhill #2) and Hermann Maier (Super G). Designed by Olympic Downhill gold medalist Bernhard Russi of Switzerland,
During the 1999 Championships, Birds of Prey was the site
Birds of Prey starts west of the top of Chair
of the first ever World Championships gold medal tie as Maier
#8 and finishes at the bottom of Red Tail
and Norway’s Lasse Kjus each mined gold for their Super G
at the confluence of Chairs #10 and #11.
efforts, with times that were identical down to the thousandth of a second. Maier’s Austrian teammate Hans Knauss finished third, a
The course features a vertical drop of 710
mere one-hundredth of a second off the pace.
meters and contains an average gradient of 27 percent, increasing to 45 percent in
An estimated 20,000 spectators were on hand February 6, 1999
the middle of the course and again in the
to witness the World Championships men’s Downhill competition.
final third of the course.
At the time, it was the largest crowd in U.S. ski racing history. Not surprisingly, the race was won by Austria’s Hermann Maier, one of his record eight victories on Birds of Prey.
Photo courtesy of Greg Johnson. BCWORLDCUP.COM | #BCWORLDCUP
23
Bode Miller and Daron Rahlves of the USA went 1-2 at the 2004 Birds of Prey Downhill, one of the all-time great performances by
In 2009, Switzerland’s Carlo Janka became the only racer to win all
American speed racers.
three races on Birds of Prey World Cup race week.
The fastest World Cup or World Championships Downhill race
podium in Downhill and Giant Slalom respectively, while Lindsey
time ever recorded on Birds of Prey is 1:39.59, courtesy of the
Vonn etched her name in the history books with her Super G win,
U.S. Ski Team’s Daron Rahlves in 2003. That win also ended a
becoming the first woman to win a race on Birds of Prey.
19-year American Downhill victory drought on U.S. soil, marking the first time since Bill Johnson’s 1984 Downhill win in Aspen
The stars and stripes was again on display again in 2013 as
that an American male had stood on the top step of a World Cup
Mikaela Shiffrin posted her first career World Cup Giant Slalom
Downhill podium in the United States.
podium with a third place showing, while Ligety and Miller combined for a one-two Giant Slalom finish.
History was also made on Birds of Prey in 2004 with the one-two American Downhill finish of Bode Miller and Rahlves, marking
Yet another Birds of Prey Giant Slalom victory in 2014 means Ligety
the first time that U.S. men have claimed the top two spots in a
has won five straight Giant Slalom races in a row on Birds of Prey, a
World Cup Downhill and the first time since Phil and Steve Mahre
mark of skiing dominance not seen in Beaver Creek since the career
captured gold and silver medals in slalom at the 1984 Olympics
of the legendary Hermann Maier, who retired in 2009.
in Sarajevo that Americans had gone one-two in any discipline. This weekend, Ligety will aim for an astounding six Giant Slalom The 2009 Birds of Prey made history as well as Switzerland’s
victories in a row on the course, which would put him in a tie for
Carlo Janka captured all three races contested in Beaver Creek.
wins on the course with Maier. Ligety’s teammate Bode Miller and
The feat marked the first time that a racer has been victorious
Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal also have an impressive number of
in three World Cup races in three consecutive days since the
wins on the course, with both tied at four.
legendary Frenchman Jean-Claude Killy turned the trick in 1967. Miller, who is attending the races as an NBC analyst, is retired. Janka’s heroics also marked the first time since 1999 that one
Svindal, however, is still racing, and with victories in both Downhill
racer has won three Birds of Prey events in the same year. That
and Super G, could potentially leap to the front of the pack
mark was set by Hermann Maier of Austria, who won the Giant
alongside Ligety and Maier.
Slalom, Downhill and Super G that winter. Special thanks to John Dakin for his contribution to this story.
The Americans earned back home turf bragging rights in 2011 when Bode Miller and Ted Ligety claimed the top step of the Photos by Jonathan Selkowitz.
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SYMMETRY 18 WINTER PACK 2015 EDITOR’S CHOICE BACKPACKER MAGAZINE Adventure this way. www.highsierra.com
SYMMETRY 12 SYMMETRY 18 SYMMETRY 22
PREVIOUS BIRDS OF PREY WINNERS 1997
DH Kristian Ghedina, ITA DH Andreas Schifferer, AUT SG Hermann Maier, AUT
1999
SL Didier Plaschy, SUI GS Hermann Maier, AUT DH Hermann Maier, AUT SG Hermann Maier, AUT
2000
DH Hermann Maier, AUT SG Fredrik Nyberg, SWE
2005
DH Daron Rahlves, USA SG Hannes Reichelt, AUT GS Bode Miller, USA SL Giorgio Rocca, ITA
2006
SC Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR DH Bode Miller, USA GS Massimiliano Blardone, ITA SL Andre Myhrer, SWE
2007
No races held
SC Daniel Albrecht, SUI DH Michael Walchhofer, AUT GS Daniel Albrecht, SUI SG Hannes Reichelt, AUT
2002
2008
2001
DH Stephan Eberharter, AUT SG Didier Cuche, SUI
2003
DH Daron Rahlves, USA DH Hermann Maier, AUT SG Bjarne Solbakken, NOR
2004
DH Bode Miller, USA SG Stephan Goergl, AUT GS Lasse Kjus, NOR SL Benjamin Raich, AUT
DH Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR SG Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR GS Benjamin Raich, AUT
2009
SC Carlo Janka, SUI DH Carlo Janka, SUI GS Carlo Janka, SUI
2011
DH Bode Miller, USA SG Sandro Viletta, SUI GS Marcel Hirscher, AUT GS Ted Ligety, USA SG Lindsey Vonn, USA SL Ivica Kostelic, CRO
2012
DH Christof Innerhofer, ITA SG Matteo Marsaglia, ITA GS Ted Ligety, USA
2013
DH Lara Gut, SUI SG Lara Gut, SUI GS Jessica Lindell-Vikarby, SWE DH Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR SG Patrick Kueng, SUI GS Ted Ligety, USA
2014
DH Kjetil Jansrud, NOR SG Hannes Reichelt, AUT GS Ted Ligety, USA
2010
SG Georg Streitberger, AUT GS Ted Ligety, USA
Photo by Logan Robertson BCWORLDCUP.COM | #BCWORLDCUP
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2015 FIS ALPINE WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS Men’s Downhill Patrick Küng, SUI Travis Ganong, USA Beat Feuz, SUI
Men’s Super G Hannes Reichelt, AUT Dustin Cook, CAN Adrien Theaux, FRA
Men’s Alpine Combined Marcel Hirscher, AUT Kjetil Jansrud, NOR Ted Ligety, USA
Men’s Giant Slalom Ted Ligety, USA Marcel Hirscher, AUT Alexis Pinturault, FRA
Photo by Logan Robertson
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Men’s Slalom Jean Baptiste Grange, FRA Fritz Dopfer, GER Felix Neureuther, GER
Ladies’ Downhill Tina Maze, SLO Anna Fenninger, AUT Lara Gut, SUI
Ladies’ Super G Anna Fenninger, AUT Tina Maze, SLO Lindsey Vonn, USA
Ladies’ Alpine Combined Tina Maze, SLO Nicole Hosp, AUT Michaela Kirchgasser, AUT
Ladies’ Giant Slalom Anna Fenninger, AUT Viktoria Rebensburg, GER Jessica Lindell-Vikarby, SWE
Ladies’ Slalom Mikaela Shiffrin, USA Frida Hansdotter, SWE Sarka Strachova, CZE
©2014 Implus Corporation. Yaktrax® is a registered trademark of Implus Corporation. 10.14
RUN WITH CONFIDENCE THIS WINTER
Eric Larsen, Polar Adventurer - Boulder, CO
1.866.YAKTRAX | WWW.YAKTRAX.COM
#Conquerwinter
GETTING TO THE RACES Parking & Arrival at Red Tail Stadium Free spectator parking is available in the resort parking lots at the base of Beaver Creek. Regularly scheduled free shuttles will bring spectators to the Vilar Performing Arts Center and Birds of Prey Way expo area. Free race shuttles depart from the Covered Bridge, every 5-10 minutes throughout training and race days. Skis and snowboards are not permitted on the race shuttles. From the race shuttle drop off location, there is a five-minute on-snow walk to Red Tail Stadium. Please allow one hour of travel time from the base of Beaver Creek Resort to Red Tail Stadium to avoid missing any of the action! ADA access to the venue is available on request. Please contact Birds of Prey Registration at 970.748.5901.
Spectator Access & Viewing The Birds of Prey Racecourse has a mid-mountain finish and all race events are free and open to the public. Public concessions and restrooms are available. For the first time ever, two ticketed hospitality and viewing experiences are available for all race fans. Club & EverBank Finish Line VIP tickets may be purchased at bcworldcup.com or on-site at the Red Tail Finish Stadium.
Snowshoe/Skier Access – Snow Dependent Spectators may snowshoe up the Beaver Lake Trail from Beaver Creek Village to the to the Red Tail Finish Stadium. (About a 30-45 minute hike, with possible construction taking place near the trailhead.) Please consult the Beaver Creek Village Experience Mobile App for updated snowshoe information and maps. Please note that snowshoers are not allowed on Dally Road.
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2015
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