Women's World Cup Downhill

Women's World Cup Downhill

Max Franz of Austria skis around a gate in the first training run for the men's World Cup downhill ski race in Beaver Creek, Colorado November 27, 2012. Franz finished in second place.



Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. takes some air past a gate during alpine skiing training for the Women's World Cup Downhill in Lake Louise, Alberta November 27, 2012.



Mariella Voglreiter of Austria heads off the hill following training for the Women's World Cup Downhill skiing in Lake Louise, Alberta November 27, 2012.



Dominique Gisin of Switzerland attends alpine skiing training for the Women's World Cup Downhill in Lake Louise, Alberta November 27, 2012.



Marusa Ferk of Slovenia takes air off a jump before crashing during alpine skiing training for the Women's World Cup Downhill in Lake Louise, Alberta November 27, 2012.



Elisabeth Goergl of Austria takes air past a gate during alpine skiing training for the Women's World Cup Downhill in Lake Louise, Alberta, November 27, 2012.

( Agencies)

Read More

Here come the Kremlin skiing buddies

Here come the Kremlin skiing buddies

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin share a ride on a chairlift during their visit to the Krasnaya Polyana resort near Sochi, Feb 18, 2011. Krasnaya Polyana is a ski resort that will host all the outdoor events at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin share a joke during their visit to the Krasnaya Polyana resort near Sochi, Feb 18, 2011.

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (R) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin inspect Olympic preparations at the Krasnaya Polyana resort near Sochi, Feb 18, 2011.

(Agencies)

Read More

Tens of thousands skiers move in ice world

Tens of thousands skiers move in ice world

The pack is on its way during the annual Engadine cross country skiing marathon from Maloja to S-Chanf in south Eastern Switzerland, Sunday, March 14, 2010. Around 11, 200 sportsmen and -women participated in the event.

The pack is on its way during the annual Engadine cross country skiing marathon from Maloja to S-Chanf in south Eastern Switzerland, Sunday, March 14, 2010.

The pack is on its way during the annual Engadine cross country skiing marathon from Maloja to S-Chanf in south Eastern Switzerland, Sunday, March 14, 2010.
(chinanews.com)

Read More

Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals kick off

Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals kick off

Fabienne Suter of Switzerland takes a curve during the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen March 10, 2010. Maria Riesch of Germany won the race.

Johanna Schnarf of Italy takes a curve to finish sixth in the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen March 10, 2010. Maria Riesch of Germany won the race.

Werner Heel of Italy jumps during the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen March 10, 2010. Carlo Janka of Switzerland won the race.

Didier Cuche from Switzerland celebrates overall victory at the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen March 10, 2010.

Carlo Janka of Switzerland reacts after the finish line during the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen March 10, 2010. Janka won the race ahead of Mario Schreiber from Austria and Patrick Kueng from Switzerland.

Didier Cuche from Switzerland kisses the trophy after winning the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen March 10, 2010.

Patrick Kueng from Switzerland reacts after winning the third place at the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen March 10, 2010. Carlo Janka from Switzerland won the race ahead of Mario Scheiber from Austria and Kueng.

Erik Guay of Canada gestures after the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen March 10, 2010. Carlo Janka from Switzerland won the race ahead of Mario Scheiber from Austria and Patrick Kueng from Switzerland.

Maria Riesch from Germany reacts after winning the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen March 10, 2010. Riesch won the race ahead of Lindsey Vonn from the U.S. and Anja Paerson from Sweden.

Lindsey Vonn from the U.S. (L-R), Maria Riesch from Germany and Anja Paerson from Sweden celebrate on the podium after the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen March 10, 2010.

(Agencies)

Read More

Top 10 beauties at Vancouver Games

Top 10 beauties at Vancouver Games

Lindsey Vonn, alpine skiing athlete from the United States.

Mari Motohashi, curling athlete from Japan.

Li Nina, freestyle skiing athlete from China.

Hannah Teter, snowboard athlete from the United States.

Magdalena Neuner, cross-country Skier from Germany.

Mao Asada, Figure Skating athlete from Japan.

Wang Beixing, speed skating athlete from China.

Kiira Korpi, figure skating athlete from Finland.

Tanith Belbin, figure skating athlete from the United States.

Kim Yu-Na, figure skating athlete from South Korea.
(Xinhuanet)

Read More

Rebensburg wins gold in women's giant slalom for Germany

Rebensburg wins gold in women's giant slalom for Germany

Germany's Viktoria Rebensburg reacts after the women's giant slalom of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 25, 2010. Viktoria Rebensburg claimed the title of the event with a total time of 2 minutes and 27.11 seconds.

WHISTLER, Canada, Feb. 25-- Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany won the gold medal in the women's giant slalom of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics at the Whistler Creekside on Thursday.

Rebensburg claimed the title in 2 minutes and 27.11 seconds, only 0.04 second faster than Tina Maze of Slovenia, who won the silver medal.

"Unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable. I don't know what to say. It just sounds so strange," said the German.

"I just want to enjoy the ceremony and the rest of the day. We'll celebrate tonight," she added.

Maze also finished second in the super-G.

Germany's Viktoria Rebensburg reacts after the women's giant slalom of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 25, 2010. Viktoria Rebensburg claimed the title of the event with a total time of 2 minutes and 27.11 seconds.

"It's great," the Slovenian said. "When I arrived here I knew I was a strong racer but I didn't expect to take two medals because I was never racing well at big events."

Elisabeth Gorgl of Austria, who got the best time in first run, came in third in a total time of 2 minutes and 27.25 seconds.

American Julia Mancuso had the best time in second run, finishing the descent with a time of 1 minute and 11.24 seconds, but finally occupied the 8th place.

Her teammate Lindsey Vonn, favourite in the competition, crashed in the first run that took place on Wednesday. The crash knocked Vonn out of the race, and broke the downhill winner's finger.

China's Xia Lina acts during the women's giant slalom of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 25, 2010.

China's Xia Lina reacts after the women's giant slalom of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 25, 2010.
(Xinhua)

Read More

Lassila brings another gold home to Australia

Lassila brings another gold home to Australia

VANCOUVER: Australia's Lydia Lassila soared through the air on a mountain covered in thick fog and cleanly landed two of the hardest jumps of the day to win Olympic gold in the women's freestyle aerials on Wednesday.

Gold medalist Lydia Lassila of Australia celebrates on the podium after the women's aerials freestyle skiing final on Cypress Mountain at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 24, 2010.

After finishing the first of two jumps in second place, Lassila showed nerves of steel as she launched herself into the air three storeys high and executed a double twisting triple back flip on her second run to secure the gold medal.

"I've dreamt of this my whole life. This has been my lifelong dream," the 28-year-old told reporters.

When asked why she decided to try such a difficult jump on her first effort she said: "Ever since I started in this sport I wanted to jump like a man."

As a rowdy crowd waved Australian flags and thrust inflatable kangaroos in the air, Lassila looked ecstatic as she skied down the hill. After taking off her skis she ran along the fence giving volunteers and spectators high fives before finding a team mate for a long hug.

Gold medalist Lydia Lassila of Australia celebrates in the finish area after her second jump in the women's aerials freestyle skiing final on Cypress Mountain at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 24, 2010.
(Agencies)

Read More

Ladies' giant slalom final run postponed to Thursday

Ladies' giant slalom final run postponed to Thursday

Iran's Marjan Kalhor reacts after the women's Giant Slalom 1st run of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 24, 2010. Due to the weather, the second round of the event was postponed to Thursday.


WHISTLER, Canada, Feb. 24 -- The second and final run of the ladies' giant slalom was postponed to Thursday because of the snow that was falling in Whistler, said the 2010 Vancouver Olympics organizers Wednesday.

The final run, initially set to begin Wednesday at 13h15 (21h15 GMT), has been delayed successively to 13h45 (21h45 GMT), 14h15 (22h15 GMT), 14h45 (22h45) and 15h00 (23h00 GMT), but was finally postponed to Thursday.

Later, the organizers announced that the final competition would take place Thursday at 09h30 (17h30 GMT) at the Whistler Creekside park.

Elisabeth Goergl of Austria finished in first place after the first run of Wednesday. Taina Barioz of France and Kathrin Zettel of Austria occupied the second and third places.

Working staff fix the track before the women's Giant Slalom 1st run of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 24, 2010. Due to the weather, the second round of the event was postponed to Thursday.

Iran's Marjan Kalhor acts during the women's Giant Slalom 1st run of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 24, 2010. Due to the weather, the second round of the event was postponed to Thursday.

China's Xia Lina acts during the women's Giant Slalom 1st run of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 24, 2010. Due to the weather, the second round of the event was postponed to Thursday.

Iran's Marjan Kalhor reacts after the women's Giant Slalom 1st run of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 24, 2010. Due to the weather, the second round of the event was postponed to Thursday.

Iran's Marjan Kalhor acts during the women's Giant Slalom 1st run of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 24, 2010. Due to the weather, the second round of the event was postponed to Thursday.

Austria's Elisabeth Goergl competes during the women's Giant Slalom 1st run of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 24, 2010. Due to the weather, the second round of the event was postponed to Thursday.

Working staff fixes a gate on the track before the women's Giant Slalom 1st run of Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 24, 2010. Due to the weather, the second round of the event was postponed to Thursday.
(Xinhua)

Read More

Children's skeeing competition in Finland

Children's skeeing competition in Finland

Child practises ice hockey before a ice hockey competition at Paloheina Skee Center at the suburb of Helsinki, capital of Finland, Feb. 23, 2010.

Children attend a skeeing competition at Paloheina Skee Center at the suburb of Helsinki, capital of Finland, Feb. 23, 2010.

A father helps his child prepare for a skeeing competition at Paloheina Skee Center at the suburb of Helsinki, capital of Finland, Feb. 23, 2010.
(Xinhua)

Read More

Skiers ski with their dancing shadows

Skiers ski with their dancing shadows

Poland's Adam Malysz soars through the air during the first jump of the individual large hill ski jumping event at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia, February 20, 2010.

Sweden's Anna Haag skis to finish second in the Team Sprint cross-country final event at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia, February 22, 2010.

Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria competes in the men's team final of ski-jumping at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, Canada, Feb. 22, 2010.

Italy's Peter Fill crashes during the men's Alpine Skiing Super-G race at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia, February 19, 2010.

Simon Ammann of Switzerland soars through the air during the first jump of the individual large hill ski jumping event at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia, February 20, 2010.
(Reuters)

Read More