11th March 2009, Wednesday - diary, pictures and results

Snow overnight (dusting) but clearing now so who knows what we will
have by 12.00 noon.  Competitors and officials are at the top of the
slope, ready for the qualifying run. 

Read below for full ski results.

Michael Eggar: Chair of IPC ParaSki Committee - end of the 2nd run

It has been a long hard day for competitors and officials.  The weather did not improve and so not only the qualifying run, but the two actual race runs were made, sometimes in difficult conditions.  The hill organisation was excellent and the results were good.  The winners of both the female and male events were Austian Juniors.  Female:  Magdalena Shwetl and Male: Felix Seifert. 

Magdalena Schwertl - winner of the Female Giant Slalom

Felix Seifert - Winner of the Male Giant Slalom

The day closed with the official opening ceremony in the huge food tent.

After the teams marched in to the excellent local band, behind National Name-boards carried by the local school children, the competitors were welcomed by local dignitories, who have haldped to make this event possible.  The Mayor of the village Donnersbachwald.  The Governor of this region of Austria, Styria and also a representative from the National Aeroclub of Austria.  Graeme Windsor, President of the IPC then declared the 12th World Championships in ParaSki open.  Member of the Foot Slapping Dancers We were then entertained to a group of young men who preformed a series of foot-slapping dancing (which is very much from this region of Austria).

With the Skiing part of the competition completed today, it is an early start in the morning for the beginning of the accuracy element, which makes up the ParaSki event.