Audi Birds of Prey Photo of the Day - Bode Miller

Photo (C) 2010 IMAGE IMPACT &

www.taloncrew.blogspot.com

Check out today's Audi Birds of Prey photo of the day featuring America's top finisher Bode Miller.

Photo courtesy of IMAGE IMPACT & www.taloncrew.blogspot.com. Special thanks goes out to the entire Talon Crew for all their hard work.

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Swiss Veteran Didier Cuche Captures Opening Audi Birds Of Prey Downhill Training Run

Ten years and 57-hundredths of a second separated the top two finishers in Tuesday’s opening Audi Birds of Prey Downhill training run as 36-year-old Swiss veteran Didier Cuche posted the fastest time on the day, with 26-year-old French “youngster” in the runner-up position.

“Today was very good for me,” offered Cuche. “The course is in great shape and I could do everything I wanted to do. It was easy to be aggressive and attack.”

Another member of the “old guard”, 35-year-old Michael Walchhofer of Austria, claimed the third place spot, 66-hundredths behind Cuche. Walchhofer, who captured the World Cup Downhill in Lake Louise, Canada last weekend, has announced that this will be his final winter on the World Cup circuit.

Cuche was clocked in 1:47.80, while Theaux recorded a 1:48.37. Walchhofer stopped the clock in 1:48.46.

The opening training run in Beaver Creek was moved up to Tuesday in an effort to avoid a new storm system that is forecast for the region beginning on Wednesday. The 2010 Birds of Prey Downhill race is scheduled for Friday, December 3, at 11 a.m.

Top American finish on the day came courtesy of Bode Miller, who recorded the eighth fastest time, while teammate Steven Nyman finished in 16th position.

Defending Birds of Prey Downhill champion Carlo Janka of Switzerland was 23rd in the opener while Beaver Creek favorite Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway placed ninth.

Mother Nature will determine if Wednesday’s second training run will take place as scheduled.

Slideshow of today's finishers:

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Top Downhill Runs from 2009 Audi Birds of Prey

Today at 12:30pm we kick off the 2010 Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week with the first Downhill Training Run.

At the 2009 Audi Birds of Prey Carlo Janka took top Downhill honors followed by Swiss teammate Didier Cuche and Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal. Bode Miller was the top US finisher narrowly missing a podium spot in 4th place.

Check out the top four runs from the 2009 Downhill below and we hope to see you in the Finish Stadium this Friday at 11am for the 2010 Audi Birds of Prey Downhill!


CARLO JANKA
1st Place - 2009 Audi Birds of Prey Downhill


DIDIER CUCHE
2nd Place - 2009 Audi Birds of Prey Downhill


AKSEL LUND SVINDAL
3rd Place - 2009 Audi Birds of Prey Downhill


BODE MILLER
4th Place - 2009 Audi Birds of Prey Downhill

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Snow Flies in Beaver Creek, Training Slated for Tomorrow

As the snow continues to fall in Beaver Creek, race crews at the 2010 Audi Birds of Prey have been working around the clock to prepare for Downhill training. Training was initially scheduled for Wednesday 12/1 and Thursday, 12/2, however, snow in the forecast has prompted race officials to bump up the first training run to tomorrow, 11/30.

Check out some footage below shot today as the Talon Crew, Beaver Creek Race Crew and Vail Valley Foundation staff work diligently to ensure tip-top racing conditions on the Birds of Prey course.

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Final Preparations For Audi Birds Of Prey Underway

Final preparations are in full swing as the Vail Valley eagerly anticipates the arrival of the Men's World Cup tour for the 2010 Audi FIS Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week in Beaver Creek. With one more race on the schedule in Lake Louise, the lion's share of the White Circus will head south tomorrow evening, following the conclusion of the Super-G.

Both Ford Hall in Beaver Creek Village and the Birds of Prey venue are a beehive of activity, with Main Registration scheduled to open Sunday at noon. Recent storms and cold temperatures have proven ideal of snowmaking and course preparation, although organizers are currently watching a new system that is headed our way early next week that could potentially rearrange the Downhill Training schedule.

Competition at the 2010 Audi FIS Birds of Prey will get underway Friday, December 3, with the Downhill, while Saturday, December 4, will feature Super-G action. The Race Weekend will culminate with Giant Slalom on Sunday, December 5.

For more information on the 2010 Audi FIS Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week, check out http://www.bcworldcup.com/.

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How Vail Beaver Creek Won the 2015 World Championships - From Ski Racing Magazine

Photo Jack Affleck/Vail Resorts

VALIANT VAIL
How Colorado Won the 2015 World Champs
By Shauna Farnell, Ski Racing Magazine

Does 2015 seem far away? Not if you’re part of the Vail/Beaver Creek team that’s been thinking about, and working toward, another World Championships since 1999. That’s when this area last hosted the World Champs; it also hosted in 1989. Very few towns can land the major event — especially for the third time.

But yes, the Vail Valley Foundation, which hosted the Worlds in 1989 and 1999, and which runs the Beaver Creek men’s World Cup event every season, will stage its third World Alpine Ski Championships in 2015. This is thanks to the process of lobbying and preparation that
began long before the FIS Congress made its selection last summer.

READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE BY CLICKING BELOW:

	Look inside >
Valiant Vail

USSA LEADERS TALK 2015:

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Missouri Photographer's Print Serves As 2010 Audi Birds Of Prey Creative

Last winter, Missouri photographer Rob Westrich’s dramatic black and white limited edition raptor photos climbed onto the Audi Birds of Prey podium as official trophies for the 2009 event.
This year, they will literally be everywhere during Beaver Creek’s World Cup Weekend as Westrich’s photo of a Golden Eagle serves as the overall creative for the 2010 Audi FIS Birds of Prey World Cup.

Named “Official Artist” for Birds of Prey, his photo graces all collateral materials for Birds of Prey, including posters, credentials, print ads, banners, event packets and signage. He will also be providing a trio of different raptor photos as awards for race winners.

In addition to the Audi Birds of Prey trophies, Westrich’s Raptor Series photographs will also be on display in the World Cup registration area on the main level of Beaver Creek’s Gerald R. Ford Hall. He has also donated a framed version of the Golden Eagle print for auction at the annual Black Diamond Ball on Friday evening. The print is number one of a limited edition of just 50 prints offered worldwide.

For more information on Rob Westrich and Westrich Photography, visit http://www.westrichphoto.com/.

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Vail Kids Welcome World Cup Racers with "Treasure Chests"

The Vail Valley Foundation office has been buzzing with activity as we prepare for the 2010 Audi Birds of Prey World Cup next week. Filled with volunteers to sort, stack, label, fold, and distribute, the energy is contagious. So contagious, the Vail Valley school children have caught the World Cup bug. At Eagle County Charter Academy, Stone Creek Charter, and Red Sandstone Elementary, kids have been eagerly preparing welcome kits for the racers who will arrive for training mid-week. These "treasure chests," as they have been named, are filled with just about anything and everything the kids deemed appropriate - pedometers, bags of snacks, origami swans, pictures of themselves, postcards, paper cut outs, and letters to individual racers. The chests have been a huge hit in the schools as they help teach the classrooms about various countries; each class has been assigned a team to research and write to. Furthermore, the chests have aided in building local spirit and making the races "real" for the kids.

Take one third grader's letter to the Canadian team, who wrote about where to eat in the Valley and to "remember that it is cold here, so pack plenty of mittens and scarves." Or a fourth grader's plea "Don't blame me if I cheer for the U.S. but you're next after that." My favorite? "Do you know the elevation of Vail? It's 11,589 feet so don't bother to look it up on the Internet." Kids say it best, don't they?

When the teams do arrive from their respective countries, they'll also get the opportunity to meet the treasure chest creators. Three U.S. ski team members will visit schools and the rest will meet with the youngest racers of the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail at the Public Bib Presentation on Saturday, 12/4.

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Schleper Flies The Colors Around The Globe

Apparently, the U.S. Ski Team's Sarah Schleper has decided that she likes the 2015 FIS World Championships bib she and the other members of the Team were given by the Vail Valley Foundation November 6 for the official announcement of the 2010-11 U.S. Alpine Team in Vail.

Vail's own not only kept the bib, but has decided that she will wear it in training all season long. Check out the above photo of Schlep training Slalom in Aspen prior to this weekend's World Cup ladies' Giant Slalom and Slalom.

Thanks for flying our colors around the world Sarah and good luck in Aspen. Go USA.

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Live Auction Lots Announced for Black Diamond Ball December 3

Ladies and gentlemen, the live auction lots have been announced for the 2010 Black Diamond Ball! The Black Diamond Ball is the Vail Valley Foundation's largest annual fundraiser with proceeds benefiting a cross section of of the VVF's efforts in athletics, education and culture. The Ball will be held on Friday, December 3, during the Birds of Prey World Cup at 6pm at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Bachelor Gulch. You need not be present to bid. To bid in advance, please contact Brent Hornett at 970-949-1999. Remember that your bid helps to sustain the quality of life in the Vail Valley!

Tickets are available here. Can't wait to see you!

LIVE AUCTION LOTS 2010:


HomeWaters Membership:

Providing a secluded retreat for members and their families to easily reach from their homes and work, each of HomeWaters’ locations offers a relaxed atmosphere and gracious staff. A myriad of streamside accommodations, first-class concierge services and the best fly fishing guides in the region allow our members to savor their time away from the chaos of everyday life and make memories that will last a lifetime and transcend many generations.
Private Fly Fishing

• 7 days of access to any Club water for the member and guest
• A guide for each day of access
• Flexibility to use 7-days of access anytime
• May take one long or several short trips to different club locations
• Locations: Vail, Steamboat Springs, Central Pennsylvania, Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Erie Pennsylvania
• Over 70 miles of private fishing waters
• Deluxe and luxurious lodging


Vanderbilt Hall:

Peter de Savary, Chairman of Vanderbilt Hall invites four as “House Guests” to experience Vanderbilt Hall at its finest. Located in the heart of historic Newport, Rhode Island the “Vanderbilt Gilded Experience” will showcase the chic Vanderbilt lifestyle with:

• Two suites for two adults for three days and two nights at Vanderbilt Hall
• A one-hour blissful massage treatment per person, in the mansion spa
• Full English breakfast for four each morning
• An afternoon or early evening harbor tour with wine and hors d’ oeuvres aboard Mr. de Savay’s privately owned 60’ classic style high speed motor yacht “MY Vanderbilt”
• A three course ‘Chef Dinner’ for all four guests, served in our MONTY’S – a chic and intimate bar and restaurant with a locally inspired menu and a few British eccentricities.

Rancho La Puerta:

Enjoy a one-week stay for two at Rancho La Puerta Fitness Resort & Spa, just voted “World’s Best Destination Spa” by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. Located just 45 miles southeast of the city of San Diego, the world’s first fitness resort (est. 1940) rests in the embrace of sacred Mt. Kuchumaa’s foothills. In this paradise for nature-lovers, walkers, and adventurous hikers, 3,000 private acres of rolling terrain afford each guest a plethora of panoramic sights, challenging trails (beginner to advanced), and an expansive feeling of freedom and well-being.

• One week stay for two at Rancho La Puerta in a Villa Studio Double Room
• Luxurious spa treatments
• Access to over 50 different fitness classes a day
• Cooking classes and demonstrations at La Cocina Que Canta, the Ranch’s 4,500 square foot Cooking School and Culinary Center
• Evening programs & lectures
• Transportation to and from San Diego Airport

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Get Mobile for 2010 Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week with new iPhone App

The 2010 Audi Birds of Prey World Cup is going mobile! We've made it easy for you by creating a FREE iPhone app for you to download. Use this easy app to:

• get the latest race results and schedule of events
  
• locate friends and family with the app on the mountain
• view course maps and directions
• read skier performance and race histories
• check out the parties and redeem a free beer voucher for the Eddie Bauer Mountain Jam
• upload your own photos to the app's custom photo gallery

Also, we'll be streaming live updates through our new Facebook fan page.

Can't wait to see you all out there!

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Birds Of Prey Gets FIS Snow Control Green Light--Full Speed Ahead

It’s full speed ahead for the Audi FIS Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week at Beaver Creek as FIS Snow Control inspector Bob Dart gave organizers the green light Friday for the 2010 edition of racing.

Beaver Creek Mountain, which has received over two feet of snow in the past week, is scheduled to open on Wednesday, November 24, while Vail Mountain opened to the public on November 19.

“We’re in the best shape on Snow Control day in years,” added Chief of Course Greg Johnson.

The FIS sends Snow Control inspectors to World Cup sites in advance of the competitions to ensure that good racecourse conditions exist or that the weather forecast is favorable for snowmaking.

The 2010 Audi FIS Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week gets underway Wednesday, December 1, with Downhill Training. Competition kicks off Friday, December 3, with the traditional Birds of Prey Downhill, followed by Super-G on Saturday, December 4. The weekend’s racing will conclude with Giant Slalom on Sunday, December 5.

BUILDING THE BIRDS OF PREY:
Photos from 2010 Course Preparations

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Vail Valley Foundation Rolls Out New Telephone Number In Honor Of 2015 World Championships

While some ski racing fans will attempt to score vanity license plates to celebrate Vail and Beaver Creek’s winning the right to host the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, the Vail Valley Foundation has a somewhat different approach.

For almost 15 years, the Foundation has featured 970-949-1999 as the nonprofit organization’s primary telephone number. The number was changed in 1997 in order to showcase the 1999 World Championships.

Now, with another World Championships a little over four years away, the Foundation has once again added a new phone number to the group’s collection to help promote the 2015 event. Beginning November 15, callers may also reach the Foundation by dialing 970-777-2015. The 949-1999 number will continue to work as well, in addition to the existing collection of 888 and ticketing phone numbers.

Scheduled from February 3-15 of 2015, the Championships are expected to showcase athletes from over 70 nations, with close to 1 billion worldwide television viewers and an onsite media and broadcast entourage of approximately 1,500 members.

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Birds of Prey Winchcat Photos - Snow in Beaver Creek!

Check out some 2010 Audi Birds of Prey course preparation shots taken by Andrew Taylor this morning of the Beaver Creek Mountain snowcat crew working on the Birds of Prey. Recent cold temperatures, combined with natural snowfall have allowed the Beaver Creek mountain operations to put down a solid base on the race course. Crews are also making snow on other areas of the mountain in preparation for opening day, Nov. 24.

The 2010 Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week is set for Dec. 3-5. Complete details can be found at http://www.bcworldcup.com/.

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Vail Free Concerts Announced for Bud Light Street Beat

We are excited to announce the lineup for the 2010/2011 Bud Light Street Beat free concert series! This season, we've got something for everyone from hip hop to country to reggae to one ridiculous 80's hair band. The concerts are now on Thursdays at 6:30pm - locations change weekly and are listed below and here.

And now... the moment you've all been waiting for ...

2010/2011 BUD LIGHT STREET BEAT SCHEDULE:

Thursday, December 16 – Emmitt Nershi Band, Jam Band Legends (Checkpoint Charlie)
Thursday, January 20 – Lyrics Born, Hip Hop Beats (Checkpoint Charlie)
Thursday, February 24 – Earl Wear & Haywire¸ Country Rock (Checkpoint Charlie)
Thursday, March 3 – Sam Bush, Newgrass Pioneer (Checkpoint Charlie)
Thursday, March 24 – Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Soulful Funk (Golden Peak)
Thursday, March 31 – Insatiable, Ska (Checkpoint Charlie)
Thursday, April 7 – John Brown’s Body, Progressive Reggae (The Arrabelle at Vail Square)
Thursday, April 14 – Rose Hill Drive, Rock ‘n’ Roll (The Arrabelle at Vail Square)
Thursday, April 21- The Champions, ‘80s Arena Rock (Checkpoint Charlie)

The Emmitt Nershi Band will kick things off for us on December 16th. With years of collective know-how under their belts, Drew Emmitt and Bill Nershi exemplify forward-thinking modern bluegrass musicians. As linchpins of two legendary jam-bands (Drew with Leftover Salmon and Bill with the String Cheese Incident) both have perfected the stadium-filling, high-profile rock ‘n’ roll thing. But, along the way, they honed their songwriting chops and studied the bluegrass, rock and jazz masters they admire. Above all, the duo shares a commitment to keeping music human-scaled and honest. Their virtuosic sound is balanced by distinctly un-flashy playing that comes from years of experience.



Can't wait to see you out there for an awesome winter season!

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FIS Council Confirms Dates For 2015 World Championships

Mark your calendars. The world’s best ski racers will return to Vail and Beaver Creek February 3-15 as the International Ski Federation (FIS) Council confirmed the dates for the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships during their recent meetings in Oberhofen, Switzerland.

The 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships are expected to showcase athletes from over 70 nations, with an estimated 1 billion worldwide television viewers and an onsite media and broadcast entourage of approximately 1,500 members.

The Championships’ competitions will officially get underway on a Tuesday and conclude on a Sunday, covering 13 days, including two weekends, in the process. The event will showcase five men’s and five women’s individual races, along with the Nation’s Team event, featuring a parallel Giant Slalom format.

“We are excited to be able to put this next piece of the 2015 puzzle into place with the dates,” explained Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. “These dates will allow us to showcase our sport during the height of the ski season in America and around the world. Early February is a fantastic time to be in Vail and Beaver Creek and these images will be shown around the globe in a prime time viewing spot for Europe.”

Vail and Beaver Creek won the right to host the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships on June 3 at the FIS Congress in Antalya, Turkey. The 2015 event will mark the third time the Vail Valley has hosted the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships.

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Vail And Avon Selected As Stages For Inaugural Quiznos Pro Challenge Bike Race

Major international road bike racing will return to the Vail Valley August 25 and 26 as both Vail and Avon have been selected as stage components of the inaugural Quiznos Pro Challenge cycling event. The announcement came at a press conference on the steps of the State Capitol in Denver on Thursday, November 4.

Created to be the most challenging pro-cycling race in American history, the Quiznos Pro Challenge is set to cover nearly 600 miles of the region’s demanding terrain.

Vail and Avon will join nine other Colorado cities in hosting the 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge, which has been scheduled for August 22-28. Vail is slated to host a Time Trial on August 25, while Avon will serve as the start of the stage that will take riders to Steamboat on August 26. The overall route of the 11-city inaugural stage race is expected to be announced in early 2011.

Spearheaded by seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, the Quiznos Pro Challenge was created to revive the legacy of the Colorado-based Coors International Bicycle Classic. The new race will be similar to the Coors Classic, with a mix of mountain, sprint and downtown stages.

In addition to Vail, Avon and Steamboat, other inaugural Quiznos Pro Challenge cities include Aspen, Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, Crested Butte, Denver, Golden, Gunnison and Salida. The Vail and Avon stages will be coordinated and hosted by the Vail Valley Foundation, the Town of Vail and the Town of Avon, along with additional interested individuals and organizations throughout the valley.

The 11 official stage start and finish communities that have been selected for the 2011 race include:

The 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge Stages
August 22 – Stage 1, Prologue time trial, Colorado Springs
August 23 – Stage 2, Salida to Crested Butte, mountain-top finish
August 24 – Stage 3, Gunnison to Aspen, mountain stage
August 25 – Stage 4, Vail, time trail, former Coors Classic stage
August 26 – Stage 5, Avon to Steamboat Springs
August 27 – Stage 6, Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge
August 28 – Stage 7, Golden to Denver

To keep in touch with the latest news and updates on the Quiznos Pro Challenge, visit http://www.quiznosprochallenge.com/

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