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Show Skiing world eyes Park City A- if ty 12 1 Bob Marsh, chief of course. by Dave Adler The eyes of the skiing world will be trained on Park City Tuesday and Wednesday when the town made its debut in world-class skiing by hosting the latest stop on the World Cufi circuit, the Subaru Park City World Ski Classic. Park Cuy has never known the kind of international flavor. and exposure that the World Cup is sure to bring. For starters, the biggest names in the world of skiing are beginning to arrive. Ingemar Sten-mark Sten-mark of Sweden, a former Olympic gold medalist, has already begun training on the local terrain. Marc Girardelli of Luxembourg, who has wrapped up both the World Cup giant slalom and slalom titles, is expected this weekend, as are American favorite Tamara McKin-ney, McKin-ney, Erika Hess of Switzerland and reigning Olympic women's slalom gold medalist, Paoletta Magoni of Italy. The events will be seen 'round the world. They will be broadcast live by ESPN and beamed by satellite to a primetime audience in Europe and Australia. About 200 media representatives repre-sentatives from various nooks and crannies across the globe will file reports, and 40 interpreters have been hired to translate such languages as German, Spanish, Japanese, Italian and French. The impact of the World Cup on the fortunes of the Park City Ski Area is virtually immeasureable. If all goes well, Park City should be in line for another World Cup, and if the Olympics come to Utah it is a good bet that Park City will host some of the events. Beyond all this, the World Cup will surely cement the Park City Ski Area's reputation as one of the world's elite skiing sites. II: will have, left its mark on the slopes, and perhaps a plaque will be pflanted on the men's giant slalom reading, "The world's best skiers competed here." Ski racing will never be the same in Park City. And future events may well be dated post W.C. The competitors will be: severely challenged by a demanding;, unyielding unyield-ing race course. "It's almady been given a favorable nod by ji ome of the Europeans," said Bob' Marsh, director of the Park City !Ski Team, who will serve not only is chief of course for the World. Cup races but as a member of the fivesman jury which oversees all aspeds of the race as well. What makes the men's giant slalom course so demandi ng, according accord-ing to Marsh, is that "it doesn't have any reliefs. Usually slalojn hills have some reliefs and some curves or bends in it. But this couirse is in the fall line, from start to finish." "The competitors wi ll be skiing directly into the fall line," Marsh said. "There is a very siteep pitch at the top and the hill flattens out at the bottom. There is no place on the course for a skier to regain his composure." The tree-lined run forms what Marsh calls "the most natural slalom stadium I've ever seen. It provides an excellent viewing aia. It's like a natural amphitheater. ' ' He said there will not be a bad position from which to view the race. "I think the views will be absolutely spectacular." As the prestigious event nears, preparation seems to be on schedule. It is now on an "as needed basis," said Marsh. Crews will maintain a vigil over the course conditions up to the day of the first race. Employees and the National Guard stand ready to foot pack the course if a snowstorm hits the area the day before the race. And if, as expected, warmer temperatures threaten to melt the hardened condition of the course, chemicals can be employed to combat those effects. "We're ready with contingency con-tingency plans," said Marsh. On Monday, the men's giant slalom will be the site of a flurry of activity. Timing equipment will be put in place and checked and re-checked as often as three times, Marsh said. Generators, and other equipment, will be positioned and checked as well. Late in the afternoon, officials will begin to set the course for Tuesday's women's slalom. "The FIS (International Federation Federa-tion of Skiing) sets very stringent rules," said Marsh. Adherence to the rules is one of Marsh's primary responsibilities in his dual role as chief of course and a member of the jury. Among the rules is a requirement of a minimum of 55 gates on the racing course. Marsh said that the 200-meter run will have between 55 and 60 gates. About 150 race officials, under the supervision of Marsh, will play one role or another in maintaining the integrity of the course, from watching gates to applying chemicals to keep the run in quality condition. A great deal of work has already been done. More remains. But for all concerned it has been a labor of love. |