Lake Louise (AB), Canada (Saturday, November 19, 2005) - The Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) officially approved the staging of the first speed World Cups of the 2005-2006 alpine ski race season on Friday as the Race Organizing Committee conducted a snow control hill inspection at Alberta's Lake Louise Mountain Resort.

Helmuth Schmalzl, the FIS assistant race director for the men’s World Cup circuit, gave approval to proceed with full preparations for the first men’s downhill and super G of season showcasing the world’s best and fastest racers on Nov. 26 and 27 at Lake Louise.

“Everything is a go,” said Bruce Hamstead, executive director of race operations for the race organizing committee, who toured the course with Schmalzl Friday morning. ”More than 40 volunteers have been working for weeks and soon we will have close to one hundred more on site to open the Olympic year of speed racing.”

Lake Louise opened for the season Nov. 11.

With dozens of activities and new events designed to create a magical winter festival atmosphere both here and in nearby Banff, Lake Louise will host men’s World Cup races the last weekend of November followed by the first three women’s speed World Cup races on Dec. 2, 3, and 4.

The first men’s downhill of the World Cup season will be televised live by CBC in Canada with an additional six international networks on site set to carry the Lake Louise races to more than 140 million viewers worldwide.

“Canada’s Louise Winterstart World Cup races will feature a dynamic improving Canadian team,” said Ken Read, President, Alpine Canada Alpin. "With Lake Louise and the spectacular Rocky Mountains as the backdrop, it is going to be a wonderful start to our Olympic season.”

Lake Louise is the first North American resort ever to be named to the prestigious Club 5+, the organization that brings together the most famous and historic World Cup alpine racing courses in the world. The Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup races also represent Canada’s only World Cup stop.