WAXROOM
Buena Suerte, Maria!
After 17 years of competing on the
World Cup, including 172 starts and
six wins, Spanish racer Maria Jose
Rienda Contreras, 35, said adios at
Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic.
After her race, a collection of World
Cup veterans lined the finish area
holding letters that spelled out
“Gracias Maria.” They then hoisted
Rienda on to their shoulders. “I love
Maria; she is a girl I have always
admired and respected on the World
Cup,” said Sarah Schleper. “She will
be missed by many on tour.”
Reunion Time
On March 26, the Park City Ski
Team held its reunion at Park
City Mountain Resort, where
Ted Ligety raced against some
young rippers including Patrick
Fischer (left). Also on hand
were U.S. Ski Teamers Hailey
Duke, Chelsea Marshall, Alice
McKennis, Megan McJames
and Cody Marshall (below).
ZOOM; GEPA; CLAIRE ABBE
Making Up on the World Cup
As the World Cup drew toward a close, FIS director Guenther Hujara and
Switzerland’s Didier Cuche were growling like two alpha wolves about Cuche’s alleged
threats over a jump on the Kvitfjell course. According to European reports, Cuche
threatened to “attack” Hujara if he didn’t shave the jump down. Hujara responded by
calling the Swiss ace out of order and fining him $5,445. Then, at Finals in Lenzerheide,
Switzerland, Cuche arrived on the press conference stage and he discovered two
name placards, one with his name and the other with Hujara’s. To start the conference
he placed the two placards side-by-side and started by sitting behind his placard and
said, “Guenther, that first jump is too big.”
He then moved behind Hujara’s placard and intoned with a serious look, “Didier, just
remember, I am the boss!”
Members of the European press howled. Later, there were mea culpas from both
individuals in Lenzerheide.
SkiRacing.com APRIL 7, 2011 | 12
