 Poster: A snowHead
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With less than 2 weeks to go until the 2013 World Champs at Schladming (4 Feb to 17 Feb) thought it would be worth starting a dedicated thread. There are occasional snow reports over at the ski amade thread, http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=92584&start=200
Lots of dosh has been invested in the town, some state, some private, not everyone is convinced it's money well spent in these tough times. The money has gone on new lifts, extended snow making, piste landscaping, new gondola station in town, car parks, new hotels, new apartments, shops and the Skygate, a 130 tonne steel arch reaching over the lower finish slopes. Rumours are that alone cost 2 million euros and it's taken a good 2 years to construct. A couple of weeks ago they finished covering it in 1000's of LEDs. It does look impressive a night when it's flashing away.
There's a fair few articles around about the build up, here's few for starters.
http://www.iol.co.za/travel/world/europe/austrian-ski-town-wants-to-shine-1.1448989#.UQFybCfeSsE
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/skiing/winter-update-world-cup-at-schladming-will-prove-a-boon-to-tourists-8449057.html
Speculating on the high cost (german)
http://derstandard.at/1358304641505/Schladmings-suendteurer-Praesidentenzipfel
Arnie is coming to town
http://www.heute.at/stars/leute/art23692,845362
Hmm, ban on schapps and state set maximum beer prices.
http://austrianindependent.com/news/General_News/2013-01-23/13095/Schnapps_ban_at_Ski_World_Champs_
There's temporary buildings and VIP marquees popping up all around town, mainly in the car parks, plebs not welcome.
The forecast looks okay at the moment, maybe warming up for a couple of days next week before cooling off for early Feb and maybe snow.
I'll be in town for the duration, no tickets yet, waiting for contacts to come up with freebies / cheapies, but failing that probably aim to go to the team event or just watch from the balcony. Anything like the night race and there should be a great atmosphere around town, big screens in high street and many extra drinking establishments. I reckon the slopes will be quiet as most regular tourist will be put off and the spectators will not be around for skiing. Recommend using the golden jet gondola to access Planai during WC.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Costs are definitely huge. I just remember those things with roof above old tribunes, which was used exactly for one week... last years WC finals, and then taken away on summer (cost... about 0.5mio eur). But then again, I was talking with some people during last year's night race, and unnofficial info is, that Schladming area turns around 10mio eur in single night (Night race). I can't imagine overall number for this years WCH if it will be, and most likely it will, in any correlation with Night race. So I don't think any expense is too big, and they will get everything back... several times.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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primoz, "perfect" I was quoting the article, take your point from a racing point of view, but I'm personally more than happy for some fresh powder and I suspect the resort of Schladming will be happy for fresh snow to be seen on the TV cameras, that's what it's about isn't it? marketing Schladming to a world of potential ski tourist. lots of news here on WCH http://www.kleinezeitung.at/sport/schi/schladming2013/index.do
I also read the cinema will be showing vintage ski movies and admission will be free 
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Absolutely. It's about marketing, and not so much about racing, even though it might not look all that great if races gets canceled (30+cm fresh snow/day might be problem for DH/SG races). But otherwise I totally agree. WCH is done (by organizing city of course) mainly for marketing reasons, and not for racing reasons. With racing you get only expenses and nothing else, but you bring whole lot of people there (also in years after this event), so yes, that's main reason, or at least in my mind, that should be main reason why to even organize something like this. And I think people in Schladming are damn good in doing this
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I'll admit to some vested interested as I own an apartment in town so I hope it's a successful event. I've an apartment for lifestyle not investment reasons but of course I'd like to know prices stay healthy. Locals I've spoken with all seem happy to be hosting the WCH, though a few worries like pushing up prices for eating and drinking and the closing for 3 weeks of some local schools during the WCH hasn't gone down too well. I don't think Schladming is any more pricey (property, food, drink) than similar ski towns in the Ski Amade area and can't see things changing that much after the WCH. Like you say the town does an excellent job hosting the night race and the World Cup last year -where the weather was somewhat the opposite, warm, unbroken sunshine. I fly back to Austria this Saturday and will be there for the whole WCH, looking forward to it and for some fresh powder.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Is there a proper time table of events easily found on line? I'll be recording events on eurosport, but the TV schedules don't seem to be differentiating between the training events and the actual competition.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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waynos - thanks for that. I refuse to be defeated by eurosport's random scheduling. No doubt I'll still end up with 3 hours worth of handball from Slovenia 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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ajpaul, I hear that.
Arrived here yesterday. Town is like a beer fest venue, massive hospitality buildings the size of football pitches on every available bit of land, huge stage outside rathaus and it's snowing heavily. I read there are 500 people ready to work in shifts to keep the race piste and grandstand clear, good luck to them today and more snow forecast for Monday. It's gonna be like the night race for 2 weeks.
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| waynos wrote: |
| It's gonna be like the night race for 2 weeks. |
Based on weather forecast I'm afraid it will be... but to be honest, I really didn't expect much else anyway, even though I was hoping for repetition of last years finals 
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Tomorrow's Ladies Super G starts 10am UK time. Chemmy bib number 32. Possibly flat light and light snow. Should be interesting.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Bode Swiller, Was lots of fresh snow today, got very wet lower down this afternoon too. Saw lines of skiers side slipping out the lower race runs this afternoon. Opening starts pretty soon, probably pop down for a beer. Could be more snow later in the week and much cooler temps.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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its on now, p to the 8th starter, chemmy is starting with bib number 32
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eek bad fall....and not for a competitor!!! bit emba  rassing
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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indeed, wasnt even moving very fast
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Woah.. .poor Lynds!
She was so aggressive in the top part of the course... looks like the ankle gave way on the landing leading to catching an edge?... bad news though 
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bad fall now for Lynsey Vonn. Her season's over at the very least
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similar fall to chemmys!! helicopters pilots a bit busy and its first 20!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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They're saying her leg is probably broken. Not good.
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go chemmy
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Girl done good!
For the benefit of Eurosport GB viewers...
The sun hasn't set....
It is snowing at 800m (just)...
The hospital isn't in Salzburg but just over from the pistes in Schladming...
etc.. etc...
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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24th. Not bad!
Btw, you can get livestreams of this on www.ard.de, if you don't mind listening to German commentary.
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Steilhang, I live in Radstadt... i could just go and watch it and not have to listen to it at all!
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You know it makes sense.
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I was watching today's race on the BBC website until 13.55, then had to get back to work: I was hoping to catch up on the iPlayer but it looks like they're not making it available for re-viewing.
Rats. Anyone know if this is available anywhere online?
How did Chemmy do??
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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No broken bones for Lindsey but that's pretty much all what is left of her knee... everything else is gone
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Head Ski's facebook page indicates no breaks
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News on Lindsey: according to the doctors she has no fractures, no broken bones but has a very complex knee injury. Lindsey has left the hospital. She and her team will now discuss how to proceed and where to undergo surgery... Season is over, but it's not the end of her career. We think of you Lindsey and wish you a speedy recovery!!! Best wishes from the entire HEAD Team!
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http://www.facebook.com/headski/posts/10151687926147678
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Steilhang, first info was "only" ligaments, but now it looks like its also bones. Sorry for wrong info
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Bad accident for Vonn and good finish for Chemmy. I'll be setting the red button channel to record whilst I'm out at work during the championhips. Excellent 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Early morning fog on men's race piste has cleared, temps dropped a bit from yesterday, light dusting of snow last night. So hopefully no delays today.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Forgot to set the recorder (numpty). BBC sport website says the skiing will be on there but no sign of it yet.
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Radstadter Hannes Reichelt... currently 3rd place!!!
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not anymore
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Ted looking safe for the win I think..
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certainly by now!
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FAQ
And from this what I saw on few different weather forecasts, it's going to be this "perfect" for most of WCH. 
. Time to set the recorder 