Markus Mayr, director of technical disciplines in World Cup for women, checked the racecourse one day earlier as initially planned and was very pleased with the work done. Organizers of 55. Golden Fox now have the green light for final preparations. Golden Fox will be in Maribor!
Markus Mayr: ”In brief: you have the green light! You can now start with final preparations for the race in Maribor. There is enough quality snow that just needs to be hardened. Plan for hardening the snow layer was made together with chief of race and management of ski slopes. Most likely, more snowcats and more added water will suffice so I am sure we will have a great race. I am coming here for 12 years now and I have never had time to get to know Maribor better, so I am happy to be back. I am also very pleased the conditions on racecourse are good enough to have the race here in Maribor. We will not close the racecourse slope on Snežni stadion for recreational skiing until Sunday and in the upper part, it will stay open until Monday. This alone should tell you everything about the quality of snow. «
David Kastelic, President of Organizing committee of 55. Golden Fox: ”We are very happy to hear such good news. In Organizing Committee, we have things under control and we are aware of what still needs to be done till 1. February. Everyone is putting maximum efforts especially since Ilka decided to participate in giant slalom race despite world cup race in Sweden immediately after Golden Fox event. We are very thankful she will be racing in Maribor. This will be the cherry on the top so I am encouraging everyone to come join us and let us all cheer for Ilka and all our skiers.”
Mitja Dragšič, Chief of race: ”Thank you, Markus Mayr, for the green light, for advice and planning of final preparations. We have shown we know how to cooperate and join our efforts, so I am sure we are anticipating an amazing Golden Fox race.”
Marko Rataj, representative of ski slope management - Marprom: ”We are very glad to hand out the racecourse in such condition to the Organizing Committee. We have been taking advantage of every hour since mid-December in hard conditions for ensuring proper snowmaking. Compared to previous years we have at least 30% more of snow. We produced 40.000 cubic meters of snow in roughly 160 hours. New snowmaking system has helped a lot so we could take advantage of every moment when temperatures dropped below -2C.”
Srečko Vilar, General Secretary of Organizing Committee: ”There are many interests for the Golden Fox and today's green light means we can finalize preparations for the race in Maribor. Until now 130 competitors from 27 countries are registered. Among them is Ilka Štuhec and she will compete on her home slope. We would like to thank Markus Mayr not just the green light, but for all the support he has been giving us for past years and also for four new snow cannons which FIS granted to Mariborsko Pohorje on his behalf.”
