25 january 2008 - San Martino di Castrozza (TN) Everything is ready on San Martino's Tognola Uno for the 4th venue of this season's Fis Carving Cup, counting as European Challenge. The competition provides points for the General Ranking but as there are medals to win, the most important thing is to step on the podium. For this reason, Mauro Robustelli, the official course setter, designed 3 jumps, a parabolic curve and some bumps on the final part of the slope, pushing the athletes to spectacular runs. After last week's snowfalls the snow is packed and the course is in perfekt conditions. The Tognola is Gianluca Grigoletto's favorite track, he won 3 times, although he couldn't win in 2006, the last European occasion. Alessandra Merlin already collected 5 victories, the sixth in sight, in danger only for the performance of Melanie Buergener (Sui). Also Roberto Boselli showed a good shape this season (two victories until now), but also a bit of luck (0,02 pts of advantage in Folgarida, 0,04 at Monte Bondone, on Renè Stoessel and Ivan Eggenberger). All attention will be concentrated on the slovenian Miha Malus, third at Monte Bondone, Zygmunt Fiedor (POL), the Austrian Hans Steiner and the Swiss Team. At the start also Thomas Bergamelli, Maurilio Alessi, Aaron Nider and two young athletes, Matteo Vatua and Emanuele Bagatti (both CTI-Columbia). Tomorrow, from 10.30 the two qualifying runs, semifinal and final starting from sunday morning.

Alessandra Merlin (Nava Ski)

Gianluca Grigoletto (Texcart)