They arrived to Gardena-Gröden on Tuesday evening and the first of two Super-G training runs was on the schedule for today. Werner Heel, Patrick Staudacher, Aronne Pieruz, Christoph Innerhofer, Walter Girardi, Elmar Hofer and Co. squeezed in four to six training runs with slight snowing conditions. Peter Fill has taken the day off to be with his family close by in Castelrotto – Kastelruth. Speed-coach Gianluca Rulfi put up 30 gates between the Sochers-Wall and the Finish. “The racers have gained strength as the day went on – they were still a little tired from the trip and the time changes� says the coach. “The Saslong is in excellent training conditions� continues Mr. Rulfi. “Our thanks to the lift company and the Gardena-Gröden World Cup organizers who have gone so far as providing us with the paint necessary to indicate the directions of the gates. We are very pleased.� The younger skiers of the local Ski Club Gardena-Gröden trained along Italy’s champions.

Statements:

Christoph Innerhofer: The first run was good, the others less so (best result in Gardena-Gröden: 20th in Super-G, 2007)
Werner Heel: Visibility and fatigue have caused some concerns. Furthermore, I felt a little stiff (best result in Gardena-Gröden: 17th in Downhill, 2007)
Patrick Staudacher: I am pleased with my training runs, but felt a little tired as well (best result in Gardena-Gröden: 6th in Super-G, 2007)
The athletes will spend the afternoon at the Hotel Dosses in St.Christina with massages, video analyses, cycling, fitness and some relaxing.