Hot Sheet: Kneissl’s bankruptcy, Vail Caddies, Lindsey’s silver, lobsters & more
Kneissl's bankruptcy leads off this week's Hot Sheet, with breaking news on Vail's Caddies, Copper's quad, sidecountry underwear in Vermont and where lobstermen ski for free this month.
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European news agencies are reporting that Austrian ski producer Kneissl declared bankruptcy on Feb. 8, 2011. The Austrian press agency APA reports that the Kneissl group had amassed EUR 23.3 million (USD $31.8 million) of debts, according to Austrian press agency APA. The company had hoped for a cash injection by its Saudi co-owner Mohamed al-Jaber, but the investor did not meet a deadline set by the bankruptcy judge.
The ski manufacturer did exhibit at the 2010 SIA Snow Show, but was not at the recent show. Kneissl started as a carriage workshop in the mid-19th century, and became the first serial producer of alpine skis in Austria in 1919.
Vail scores all-mountain Cadillac deal
Vail Resorts has a new four-year partnership with Cadillac, which makes it the official vehicle of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Northstar-at-Tahoe.
All Vail Resorts will feature Cadillac vehicles in the resorts, and Cadillac Escalades will be used as courtesy cars and shuttle services at select Vail Resorts and RockResorts lodging properties. Additionally, Cadillac will introduce ride and drive activities, demo drive services and “product engagement opportunities.”
Copper to add new 4-pack
Copper Mountain will add a new Doppelmayr quad to replace the High Point fixed-grip double chair located at the base of Union Creek. In conjunction with the new lift, the addition of a new trail connection from the east will reportedly make the circulation from the Catalyst Terrain Park and the beginner and intermediate terrain in the area much easier.
“After a year of significant infrastructure investments in snowmaking, parking and much more, we are excited to announce a more visible on-mountain improvement,” said Gary Rodgers, president and general manager of Copper Mountain Resort.
Vonn scores DH silver, drops out of Worlds
Lindsey Vonn won silver in the downhill during the World Championships at Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Feb. 13, 2011, saying that because of recent injuries, the second place felt like “gold” to her.
The following day Vonn announced that she would miss the remainder of the championships in order to focus on defending her four Audi FIS Alpine World Cup titles.
“Coming into these championships, my plan was to race in all of the events, but I’ve decided to take the next two weeks off from competition in order to get back to 100 percent,” said Vonn.
Vonn is the three-time defending World Cup overall champion and holds titles in downhill, super G and super combined from last season. She is currently leading the downhill, super G and super combined standings, but sits 156 points behind friend, Maria Riesch, in the overall standings.
Lost in Vermont & other news
According to Vermont’s Plattsburgh news, 22-year-old skier Philip Embury, who went missing at Killington ski resort after skiing out of bounds over the weekend, was the ninth missing skier to need rescue over the past week. No word if Embury was wearing “sidecountry” boxers when rescuers located him.…Aspen hosts the men’s and women’s U.S. Alpine Championships downhill Feb. 16. “It’s an honor to have the championships back in Aspen,” said Jeff Hanle, director of public relations for Aspen/Snowmass. “The tradition of ski racing is firmly rooted in this community and it’s especially exciting to have a downhill back on Aspen Mountain.”…The 20th annual U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships started Feb. 15 and runs through the Feb. 19 at Crested Butte, with a cash purse totaling $20,000…Beginning Feb. 16 through March 1, Saddleback Maine is offering free skiing and riding to members of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. Skiers must bring proof of their membership in the association…And finally, Whistler got whacked with snow for Valentine’s Day, and sent us these pictures, so we posted them.
–Peter Kray
On Oct. 6, 2010, veteran journalist Peter Kray joined the SNEWS team and is now editor of the new SNEWS WinterSports channel. We trust you are enjoying the full offering of WinterSports news. Be sure to email your friends and let them know the best WinterSports news has arrived — just in time for the winter season. Got WinterSports news? Send your WinterSports news to Kray at pkray@snewsnet.com. Subscribers can also post WinterSports news releases directly to the SNEWS website. Email us at snewsbox@snewsnet.com to learn about posting your own news releases, or for any other questions or comments. We love to hear from our readers!
