ROCCARASO - THE SIXTH VENUE What a surprise: De Martin and Bürgener! 24 february 2008. - Just as the forecast turned in favour of René Stössel and Alessandra Merlin destiny changed its ideas and the victories went to Marco De Martin (ITA) and Melanie Bürgener (SUI). This is the first success of De Martin's career, after various good results, and the third victory for the Suisse on her birthday. This is what happened today on Roccaraso's Gravare Corte, during the 6th season's venue of the Fis Carving Cup 2008. The Suisse Stössel, Eggenberger and Bär weren't able to deal with the tension and had to surrender to the technical and athletical topshape of De Martin, who already won the semifinal, followed by Roberto Boselli, who was able to beat his direct rival René Stössel. Both of the Italian chose the same tactics with 70 points, but De Martin in the end closed with an advantage of 0,06 seconds. Thanks to the fifth position behind Ivan Eggenberger, Gianluca Grigoletto, who has to deal with a backache, could stay close to the leading group, although the possibilities to defend his title are very low. In the female ranking now Melanie Bürgener has only 100 pts less than Alessandra Merlin, with 3 races still to be done. The Slovenian Ana Teuc, with her third place today “reserved” the third position, always ready to wait for a mistake of Bürgener. The next venue is scheduled for this weekend at Pragelato, a show-competition on the outrun of the olimpic skijump. The steep track with its only 10 turns may already anticipate the cup decision. The race will be broadcasted on SkySport3 on Tuesday at 20.30 and repeated a couple of times during the week. Ranking Women's Final 1. Melanie Bürgener SUI RTC 50,16 2. Alessandra Merlin ITA NavaSki 50,28 2. Ana Teuc SLO Slovenija 51,11 4. Vanja Celigoj SLO Slovenija 52,61 5. Jeanette Arnold SUI RTC 52,63 Women's General Ranking 1. Alessandra Merlin (ITA) pòunti 580); 2. Melanie Bürgener (SUI) punti 480; 3. Ana Teuc (SLO) punti 360; 4. Vanja Celigoj (SLO) punti 305; 5. Spela Turk (SLO) punti 203 Ranking Men's Final 1. Marco De Martin ITA CTI-Columbia 47,27 2. Rioberto Boselli ITA CTI-Columbia 47,36 3. Renè Stössel Sui Stöckli 47,41 4. Ivan Eggenberger SUI Stöckli 47,49 5. Gianluca Grigoletto ITA Texcart 47,61 6. Simon Bär ITA Sttöckli 48,17 7. Matteo Vatua ITA CTI-Columbia 48,45 8. Attilio Barcella ITA NavaSki 48,61 9. Michele Fontana ITA CTI-Columbia 49.87 10. Cesare Fontana ITA NavaSki 50,01 Men's General Ranking 1. Renè Stössel SUI punti 420; 2. Robewrto Boselli (ITA) punti 400; 3. Ivan Eggenberger (SUI) punti 374; 4. Gianluca Grigoletto (ITA) punti 276; 5. Marco De Martin (ITA) punti 258 Press office Marco Di Marco 0039 349 2398685