26 january 2008 - San Martino di Castrozza (TN) Thomas Bergamelli and Alessandra Merlin are the names of today's qualifying winners on San Martino's Tognola Uno. Seventeen the turns set by Mauro Robustelli, the swiss course setter, with two jumps and bumps, a parabolic curve and a vertical combination, or better every possible solution on the track. Another difficulty was to be found in the Tognola's steep last past of the course itself. At the end the victory goes to Thomas Bergamelli (Texcart), beating Matteo Vatua (CTI-Columbia) and Marco De Martin, from Sappada. Renè Stoessel in 4th position, Simon Baer 5th. The Slovenian National Team placed Miha Groselj on the eigth place. Roberto Boselli, the actual cupleader, and Gianluca Grigoletto, favourite to one of the first places tomorrow, chose to hide today on 15th and 14th position, maybe to start in the first group during tomorrow's semifinal. Attention also to Zygmunt Fiedor (Pol), Hans Steiner (Aut) and David Mencl (Cze). A little less easier the victory of Alessandra Merlin (Navaski) as her swiss rival Melanie Buergener, never fails a run. Third Ana Teuc (Slo), forth Francesca Deambrogio (Navaski) before another Slovenian; Vania Celigoj. The programm starts tomorrow at 9 with the opening of the promotional village of the Toyota 4x4 Skitour, and then, at 11.30 the semifinal of the best 30 men and the 10 fastest women. Immediately afterwords the top 10 (men) and top 5 (women) final. This race provides cuppoints for the general ranking, but far more important, it assigns the medals of the European Championship. Last European Champions were Renè Stoessel and Alessandra Merlin. WOMEN'S QUALIFYING RANKING 1. Alessandra Merlin ITA 49,35 2. Melanie Bürgener SUI 50,00 3. Ana Teuc SLO 50,12 4. Francesca De Ambrogio ITA 50,37 5. Vanja Celigoj SLO 51,45 6. Tina Vrhunc SLO 51,88 7. Jeanette Arnold SUI 52,05 8. Joanna Modrzewska POL 54,14 9. Spela Turk SLO 54,25 10. Magdalena Soltys POL 55,85 MEN'S QUALIFYING RANKING 1. Thomas Bergamelli ITA 46,20 2. Matteo Vatua ITA 46,47LE 3. Marco De Martin ITA 46,59 4. Renè Stössel SUI 46,99 5. Simon Bär SUI 47,26 6. Maurilio Alessi ITA 47,32 7. Ivan Eggenberger SUI 47,52 8. Miha Groselj SLO 47,56 9. Aaron Nider ITA 47,64 10. Emanuele Bagatti ITA 47,72

Splendid turn on the central part for Alessandra Merlin (Navaski), second Melanie Buergener (Sui) and Ana Teuc (Slo) (klick on the foto to enlarge it)

Thomas Bergamelli on the Tognola, he won the qualifying (klick on the foto to enlarge it)