Tirol sends six women to Sölden World Cup opener

Six of the 10 Austrian women racing in Saturday’s World Cup giant slalom in Sölden are from Tirol, ORF reported. Three of them are making their World Cup debuts at the Rettenbachferner race course. The first run is scheduled for 10.30 a.m.

The Tirol skiers are Stephanie Brunner, from Tux; Franziska Gritsch, from Sölden; Leonie Raich, from Wenns; Natalie Falch, from Buch; Valentina Rings-Wanner, from Kitzbühel; and Ricarda Haaser, from Maurach am Achensee.

Raich, Falch and Rings-Wanner will compete in a World Cup race at Sölden for the first time. Raich described the course as steep and challenging, while Falch said she would give her all.

Austria’s ski federation sports director, Mario Stecher, said the team’s goal was to achieve podium finishes. He named Julia Scheib, last season’s overall winner, as well as Stefan Brennsteiner and Joshua Sturm as potential contenders.

Federica Brignone will not start, while Valérie Grenier and Nina Astner have been injured shortly before the season opener. Work on the course delayed the women’s start by 30 minutes and also pushed back their course inspection. The men’s giant slalom is scheduled for Sunday, with up to 30,000 visitors expected at the Rettenbachferner over the weekend.