Saturday the 7th of March I got the lucky chance to go watch the Women's slalom world cup in Ofterschwang, about 40min from where I live. I stayed for a week with my fourth host mom, Gabi Grotz (because my second and third were on a ski vacation), and when she mentioned it to me I kind of didn't believe her. I imagine world cup races to be just super huge, tickets really expensive, and somewhere foreign. In reality I guess I am somewhere foreign, but I have become so used to the small city of Altusried, and larger Kempten where I go to school, that I dont view it as foreign anymore. In any case, we went and watched the women's slalom semi-final competition for just €12 and ended up standing right by the finish line. I was outside standing for 5 1/2 hours, but I waved my flag the entire time, used the noise makers that were given to us fervently, and cheered the best American on, Lindsey Vonn. Lindsey ended up being first after the first round (70 skiiers, 30 advance to the second round), but fell on the second round and didn't place. Luckily enough, Lindsey will end up winning the all-around women's world cup for the season, but it would have been really cool if she'd taken first that day. Instead a women from France, S. Aure, took first, with Sweden an Austria following. Maria Riesch, Germany's beloved skiier, won this seasons slalom world cup trophy, and placed 5th on Saturday, her sister Susanne 6th. 10 Germans raced that day, 6 advancing to the next round. I believe more than any other land represented there. The German team has these funny zebra racing suits on. There were also two sisters from Argentina racing, which you just had to have respect for. Really, you had to have respect for everyone that was there. You just don't have that same compassion and excitement when you watch everyone ski on tv, and you also only root for your own country. There, I rooted for everyone (if for the Americans a little louder). It was really cool, a mother from Slovakia ended up standing right next to us, and just started suddenly screaming and wildly cheering for a girl racing, who turned out to be her daughter. The girl raced in the 61st place (not a great one to start at), and ended up being 30th which meant she advanced. The mother took her husband, the boyfriend, and the whole family up in a big hug and was near crying she was so happy. It was probably the sweetest thing I've seen in a long time.
The entrance gate (note the German flag colors).
Gabi and I.
The race course.
Maria Riesch after coming down in the first round.
Lindsey Vonn after winning first in the first round.
(USA on the leg :) )
The German traditional staples were of course there as well.
Including chocolate, 'Ritter Sport', that we brought with.
Gabi and I standing in front of the big Milka cow, the events main sponsor (the most popular German chocolate company . . . WAY better than Hersheys).
Prepping for round 2.
The flags . . . the people. I was told there were over 20,000 people there that day, but we had a great view and didn't have to wait at all to go to the bathroom, so I had a hard time believing it.
Recieving medals, Sweden walks to second place.
Right in the Alps :)
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