Another successful year for Wengen and the Lauberhorn Races

Today brought to a close a weekend of fantastic skiing in Wengen.

Felix Neureuther (28) of Germany powered to the World Cup slalom win today by 0.21 seconds over Austrian Marcel Hirscher (23). It was the Fourth World Cup victory for the German.  Croat Ivica Kostelic (33), who has won this race three times, finished third. 

The Swiss team had a disappointing 21 place finish by Ramon Zenhäusern with Marc Gini and Markus Vogel finishing 23rd and 25th, respectively.

Felix Neureuther, winner of the World Cup Slalom in Wengen

Yesterday Christof Innerhofer (ITA) won the men's downhill with a convincing run down the Lauberhorn course.  In perfect conditions he stood out from the very powerful Austrian team with Klaus Kroell (AUT) and Hannes Reichelt (AUT) finishing 2nd and 3rd.

Christof Innerhofer, winner of the World Cup Lauberhorn Race in Wengen

The New York Times article on the downhill can be found here.  

Lauberhorn Race 2013

The 2013 Lauberhorn Race kicks off this evening in Wengen village.  With temperatures hovering around -10C and frequent light snowfall conditions are perfect for an outstanding 3 days of racing.  The party starts this evening with the draw for the combined downhill slalom.  Racing starts on Friday morning at 10.30am.

Preparations are underway in Wengen for the 2013 Lauberhorn Race

Pavilions are being constructed in the centre of Wengen

Snow Snow Snow in Wengen

After a couple of weeks of temperatures just above freezing the snow is falling!  In the village of Wengen there has been about 50cm today with more expected over the weekend.  Perfect conditions for the 2013 Lauberhorn race starting on the 18th of January 2013.

1600 on 11 January 2013 in Wengen looking down the Lauterbrunnen Valley