Ski World Cup Ladies in Bansko
Last week the whole world heard about Bansko. Bulgarian ski resort was the host of Ski World Cup. Two rounds of DH World Cup and one Super G competition took place at Banderitsa ski run from 27th of February till the 1st of March.
The downhill competition, which was put off from Saint Moritz resort in Switzerland, started on the 27th of February, Friday. Unfortunately, I arrived in Bansko late in the evening on Friday, so I missed the first round. But as I reached Bansko I went in the press centre, at the first station of the Gondola Lift, to get information about the issue of the competition. Fabienne Suter from Switzerland had won the DH race. Andrea Fishbacher was on a second place and the World Champion, Lindsey Vonn, took the third position.
Then I went in the hotel to prepare for the race on the next day. I woke up early in the morning on the 28th of February. I gathered my photo equipment quickly and I made my way to the first station of the Gondola lift. After 20 minutes the lift took me to Banderishka Polyana site, where the final line and the spectators seats were situated. There was a second press centre too and many of my colleagues were fussing around the computers and faxes. Photographers and reporters from all over the world were in Bansko to report the event. The organization was perfect and the racing ski run was excellently maintained. The weather was sunny and the deep blue sky contrasted to the white peaks of the Pirin Mountains. There were so many people at Banderishka polyana, who had came for skiing, but most of them were here especially for the competition.
I climbed the slope beside the ski run to find the best position and the best point of view for taking pictures. There was a jump, about 300 metres before the final line, so I decided that this would be my place. I went near to the jump as close as it was possible and I started waiting.
15 minutes later the speaker announced the beginning of the Ski World Cup Ladies DH in Bansko. It was right 12 o’clock. After a minute, the first racer rushed in front of my eyes and I even could not raze the camera to shoot her. I started listen the speaker more carefully while he announced the next skier. I sow her, through the camera viewfinder, flying down the slope, passing by the gates, getting ready for the jump. I was tracking her with the camera. I pressed the shutter and the mirror clacked. 6 frames per second were enough to freeze this breathtaking action.
After an hour the competition was over. Four racers dropped off the race. The Canadian Kelly Vanderbeek fell badly, and the Bulgarian athlete, Maria Kirkova, finished last. The race between the first skiers was really challenging. Fabienne Suter cogently led the contest, but later Tina Maze from Slovenia went ahead. Finally Andrea Fischbacher showed a total control over the ski and won the second World Cup Ski DH round in Bansko. Lindsey Vonn left on a 12th position. The prise giving ceremony was also very emotional.
On the next day I was at Banderishka Polyana again for the Super G race. It was the 1st of march and it was the Bulgarian traditional fest – Baba Marta, which marks the beginning of the spring. This time I took another position near the jump again. I was much more careful for what the speaker was talking on the microphone. The competition started at 12 o’clock and it was very trilling again. This time Lindsey Vonn was invincible and as she said later – Super G is her best discipline. Fabienne Suter became second and the charming Slovenian, Tina Maze, took the third position.
That’s how the Ski World Cup Ladies in Bansko went on and I’m so happy that the Bulgarian ski resort was a host of such an important sport event. The skiers estimated the ski runs highly and I gues that this was the first of many competitions, which would take place in Bansko. There were hundred of children, probably future ski champions. They were crowding around the skiers, asking them for autographs, feeling so happy next to their favorite athletes. I hope that they will be so happy next year too.
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