Olang (ck) Just in time for the World Cup opening the way too warm weather had changed just enough to get the tracks ready for racing. The track had to be shortened and only one run was held, but everybody was happy considering the weather conditions.
"It was for sure not the track an athlete would chose to race on, but we were glad to have the race", said winner Anton Blasbichler (ITA). "It were fair conditions, the same for everyone and I feel in very good form these days. I am very happy about my victory, I have not won since 2001."
At least as happy as Blasbichler was Andreas Castiglioni (ITA) who had as the runner up his first podium result in his career: "With only one run and a short track, you have to risk. If you have a mistake it counts double because there is no time to make up for it. So my goal today was to go full risk and I am absolutely happy about the result."
Also the third, Gerald Kallan who had become World Champion in 2000 on this track in Olang/Valdaora, was pleased with his result: "Today in the morning I was still debating which sledge to use. I have been in Campill, a track near Olang and did some testing. Considering these circumstances I am very satisfied with my race."
Not on the podium but nevertheless a winner of today was Gernot Schwab, who finished 6th in his comeback race after a serious injury of last year. "I have not been able to walk, one leg was broken, in the other one I had all ligaments ruptured. After months of rehabilitation I was not sure if I would be in the shape to race again this season already." He was the fastest in the training and he really did not mind not winning: "Whether I win, become 6th or 10th, I do not care, I am so happy to be so fit again."

Tomorrow, Saturday, the women´s and the doublesetaer´s events will be hold. In the women´s training Renate Kasslatter was the leader in a field of four Italians at the top of the ranking with Christa Gietl, Irene Mitterstieler and Renate Gietl at places two to four. Two stars of the scene were missing today: Elvira Holzknecht (AUT) and Sonja Steinacher (ITA) both finished their careers. For the first time ever there was a qualification necessary as only 20 women are allowed in the competition and 22 athletes from nine nations participated in the training.

Results men´s single-seaters (38):

1. Anton Blasbichler (ITA) 49,73 100 points
2. Andreas Castiglioni (ITA) 49,81 85
3. Gerald Kallan (AUT) 49,82 70
4. Gerhard Pilz (AUT) 49,94 60
5. Roland Kallan (AUT) 50,01 55
6. Gernot Schwab (AUT) 50,03 50
7. Robert Batkowski (AUT) 50,16 46
8. Gerald Kammerlander (AUT) 50,18 42
9. Rudi Resch (ITA) 50,32 39
10. Florian Breitenberger (ITA) 50,38 36
11. Marcus Grausam (GER) 50,70 34
12. Daniel Quitta (ITA) 50,73 32
Ivan Lazarev (RUS) 50,73 32
14. Borut Kralj (SLO) 50,76 28
20. Corey Pusey (CAN) 52,77 21
28. John Gibson (CAN) 54,59 13