Moscow, Russia - The second edition of the Audi FIS Alpine Ski Champions Cup parallel slalom invitational event was carried out before an estimated 30,000 spectators on a giant ramp erected in a rainy Saturday in Moscow. The promotional event was staged as a knock-out event on the grounds of the Moscow City Palace of Children's and Youth Creativity.


The victory in the ladies’ event, making its premiere in Moscow and held on rain-dampened snow, went to 24-year-old Therese Borssen of Sweden, who narrowly beat Germany’s Maria Riesch in the Big Final. In the Small Final, Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter beat Sandrine Aubert of France.

Workers fight the rain in Moscow Saturday to pull off a World Cup promotional parallel slalom contest on a giant ramp in the middle of the city. (photo: FIS)

"It was a soft, fun and super fun race," said Borssen. "I just beat Maria, I did my best to race as well as I could and won. It was raining, so the snow was soft and really wet and such conditions create some problems of course."

"Of course this rain and wet snow were a problem for all of us," added Reisch, "but I am excited and happy with my second place. For me it was perfect training for the following competitions in the USA."

In the men’s race, 20-year-old Marcel Hirscher took the victory ahead of France’s Steve Missilier in the men’s Big Final. In the Small Final, Michael Janyk of Canada, the bronze medalist in the 2009 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, beat Austrian reigning slalom world champion, Manfred Pranger.

"It was so special to be here in Moscow today," said Hirscher. "The competition was really unbelievable though we had very heavy conditions. But it was a very good preparation for us before the Vancouver Olympic Games. And I am sure the Champions Cup will give a huge impulse for further competitions in parallel slalom as well as for the development of Alpine Skiing in general."

"It was really rock-and-roll," added Janyk. "I feel excited and very happy. That is what you want. It was very exciting when to be racing down from the top of the slope and the great crowds in front of you and your competitors are next to you.

"I am pretty satisfied with my results," Janyk concluded. "After all, it’s a competition and all of us want to win the first prize."

Each of the winners netted $30,000 USD. Each racer also received $10,000 USD as start money.

The crowds watched World Cup ski racers drop 70 m through 20 gates spanning a 205 m course. Typical run times were around 20 seconds each on the rain-softened snow.