Bruce Willis slammed over private airport plans in Idaho

London, July 13 (ANI): Bruce Willis has incurred the wrath of local critics over his plans to build his own airport near his ski lodge, the Soldier Mountain resort, in Idaho.

The ‘Die Hard’ star reportedly wants to have the private airport close to the small town of Hailey, where he moved almost 20 years ago.

But local residents have criticised the actor for eyeing entry into the aviation business, leaving managers to worry about Hailey’s own airport, Fried-man Memorial.oth airports want 8,000ft runways, long enough for big passenger jets, but they may be too close together, said an aviation expert.

“The authorities will have to rule which is the safest. Friedman has a solid record but it is boxed into canyons. Willis carries a big stick and offers fresh employment opportunities,” the Daily Express quoted the expert as having told Britain’s The Sunday Times. (ANI)

Gulmarg’s special museum exhibits gears used in high altitude warfare

Gulmarg, May 24 (ANI): A museum has been set up inside the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg to display old and modern warfare equipment and gears used by the Indian Army during high altitude warfare or by mountaineers during expeditions.

The Kanchenjunga Museum in Gulmarg has war-related climbing and mountaineering equipment used by Indian army from 1947 till date.

Initially started as a 19 Infantry Division Ski School in 1948, the High-Altitude Warfare School has over the years become the Army’s nodal agency for “specialised training and dissemination of doctrines” in high-altitude, mountain and snow warfare.

According to HAWS instructor Major S.S Negi, the museum was established to commemorate 1997′s first summit of Indian Army to Kanchenjunga.

Thereafter, other expeditions like first successful Everest expedition of 2001 were given a due place in the museum.

“In this portion of the museum, we have got two sand models which are related to the Kanchenjunga museum of 1977 and 2001 Everest expedition. Thereafter second position is dedicated to the equipment which is being used presently and which was used earlier by the mountaineering fraternity of Indian Army,” said Major S.S Negi.

The High Altitude Warfare School housing Kanchenjunga Museum draws young breed of soldiers, who are eager to see the equipments used by Indian army in high altitude warfare including Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield in the earlier days.

The soldiers undergoing training at the school are fascinated having watched some of the age-old equipments and the eminent mountaineers who used them.

“When I first visited this museum in 1998, I learnt the history about which I never had any idea. A thought came to my mind that what I could do for this history. During that procedure, I did a mountaineering course in 2001. I learnt about all the mountaineering equipments. I also came to know about all the eminent expedition mountaineers of India,” said Karma Singh, an Indian Army soldier.

The High-Altitude Warfare School was initially set up at Gulmarg, as a Formation Sickly School. The training imparted consisted mainly of skiing techniques, mountain lore and patrolling on skis.

On April 8, 1962, the School was designated a Category A Training establishment and renamed High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS).

The training instils confidence and stamina. The men are taught to integrate with the environment so that they can guard the Himalayan frontiers effectively. By Bilal Butt (ANI)

UK explorer aims to set new Arctic endurance record

London, May 8 (ANI): UK explorer Adrian Hayes aims to set a new Arctic endurance record. This time the Dubai-based adventurer is hoping to make the longest unassisted Arctic Polar journey in history.

According to Sky News, the former Army officer and his expedition teammates Devon McDiarmid and Derek Crowe will walk the full length of Greenland, from the Atlantic Ocean on the south coast to the Arctic Ocean on the north coast between May and July.

They will be using the power of the wind to kite ski and haul 150 kg sleds for two months over a 3,500km route that has never been done before.

Hayes has been preparing for his epic journey by training in the Arabian Desert. Soon he will go from one extreme temperature to the other: 35c to -35c

He said: “It’s a long way from the Greenland ice cap, but training is training and pulling tyres is a staple diet of polar travel.

“Though we aim to be using kites for the majority of the journey, hauling heavy sleds is an inevitable component of any polar expedition and there is no better preparation for this than pulling tyres,” he was quoted, as saying.

Hayes is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading adventurer/explorers and belongs to an exclusive club. (ANI)

Liam Neeson finally becomes a graduate after 40 years

London, May 8 (ANI): Almost 40 years after enrolling in Queen’s University, Belfast, Oscar-nominated actor Liam Neeson has finally received his doctorate from the university.

The ‘Schindler’s List’ actor, born in Ballymena, was still an undergraduate at Queen’s in 1971 as a Physics and Computer Science student, when he left to work in ‘Guinness’.

And Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson finally awarded the 56-year-old actor an honorary doctorate in New York.

The actor said that he would “finally” be able to tell his mother that he had graduated.

On the occasion, the professor even spilled out some details from the actor’s original university application form from 1970.

Gregson awarded the actor with a Doctorate of the University for his Outstanding Contribution and Service to the Arts.

Neeson said that Northern Ireland would “always be home”.

“I have often found that no matter where I meet people in the world, there is a path that leads back to Queen’s,” the BBC quoted him as saying.

He added: “Queen’s University flies the flag for the arts in Northern Ireland and beyond. It is to be commended on its commitment to the arts sector and in nurturing new talent through its broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.”

Liam Neeson has starred in more than 50 television and film productions and was nominated for an Oscar for his performance as Oskar Schindler in Schindler’s List.

In March, his wife of 15 years, Natasha Richardson, died of head injuries after a fall at a ski resort in Quebec. (ANI)

Injured Polish politician returns home after Austrian ski accident

Vienna – Polish politician Marek Nawara returned to his home country Monday after being hospitalized in Austria with severe head injuries from a skiing accident in February, according to his hospital in the town of Klagenfurt.

The premier of the Malopolska province is set to continue his rehabilitation treatment in Poland.

“It is remarkable how well he has recovered after his accident,” said Eberhard Uhl, the head of the neurosurgical unit of the hospital.

Nawara has spent more than two months in the hospital in the southern Austrian town, where he recuperated from the injuries sustained on a slope on February 20. He spent nearly three weeks in an induced coma.

Another politician involved in an Austrian skiing accident, the premier of the German state of Thuringia Dieter Althaus, returned to active politics on April 20 after recuperating for nearly four months from a head injury.

On New Year’s Day, he collided with a Slovakian woman who died of her injuries. (dpa)

Canada court reserves judgement in ski jumping case

Vancouver – A court in Canada has reserved judgement in the case of female ski jumpers who are suing to to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics. After five days of hearings, British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon said Friday the issues behind the case were “very complex” and that she needed time to consider all the arguments.

Fifteen female ski jumpers took the Vancouver Organizing Committee to court for the right to compete at the Vancouver Games.

Lawyers for the skiers argued that under Canadian gender discrimination law laid out in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms all ski jumpers should be allowed to compete.

If the court rules in their favour the Vancouver committee would have to tell the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow the ski jumpers to compete or cancel the men’s ski jumping events.

The Vancouver committee has argued that the February 12-28 Games programme is a matter for the IOC, which has said the women will not be ready for competition until the 2014 winter Games.

The IOC is the Games’ regulatory body and as a foreign organization is not obliged to follow the charter, its lawyer argued.(dpa)

Serena Williams’ tiny bikini bottoms ‘disappear’ on Miami beach!

London, April 7 (ANI): Tennis ace Serena Williams gave onlookers an eyeful after her tiny bikini bottoms reportedly fade away from view after she bend over to board a jet ski on Miami beach.

The curvy player was snapped enjoying the sun as she swam and played with seaweed in a skimpy black bikini.

The former world number one was said to have had the uncomfortable wedgie as she was taking a break with her boyfriend, reports the Sun.

The 27-year-old is the present US Open and Australian Open singles champion and has won 20 Grand Slam titles: ten in singles, eight in women’s doubles, and two in mixed doubles.

Serena is also the younger sister of former World No. 1 professional female tennis player Venus Williams. (ANI)

‘Lacy underwear’ guiding explorers towards North Pole

London, Mar 30 (ANI): A bunch of Arctic explorers have found a rather ‘saucy’ tool to navigate their way to the North Pole-a pair of lacy underwear for the ladies.

The Catlin Arctic Survey are using a pair of lady’s knickers to help them with directions after compasses failed to work.

The explorers are trekking 700 miles to the North Pole to measure the thickness of the shrinking Arctic icecap.ut because of being very close to magnetic north, the compasses are “going haywire”.

And also, the freezing conditions have rendered the latest global positioning satellite or GPS equipment dysfunctional.

Thus, the team led by Pen Hadow needs to rely on navigating using the position of the sun.

But, when the weather turns cloudy, they follow the direction of the wind, as indicated by a pair of lacy knickers shredded and stuck to the end of a ski pole.

Hadow, who was the first person to trek solo to the North Pole, said a supporter of the expedition kindly donated the knickers.

“It an entirely genuine situation. If you can get gossamer thin material and attach it your ski pole it is particularly useful for this project because we can cannot use the compass as we are so close to magnetic north and it is too cold to use the GPS,” the Telegraph quoted him as saying on satellite phone from the Arctic.

He added: “The knickers have taken up a whole new value operationally.”

Navigator Ann Daniels explained why the knickers were so useful, saying: “Due to our proximity to the Magnetic North Pole, our compasses are currently going haywire.”

Daniels added: “The earth’s strong magnetic field on this part of the ocean means that the compass needle simply spins uselessly in its housing. As such, we’re currently relying on more traditional methods for day-to-day navigation, using the sun (for those few precious hours each day when it graces us with its presence), and using wind direction, as indicated by the panties…” (ANI)

Richardson 911 transcripts reveal her struggling last hours

Washington, March 30 (ANI): Tapes of the 911 call made while Natasha Richardson was being shifted to a hospital have been released.

The Oscar-winner had met with an accident and suffered a head injury during a private ski lesson at Mont Tremblant resort on March 16.

The 45-year-old had initially showed no signs of injury but later complained of headaches, and was admitted to the Hospitalier Laurentien.

She was shifted to intensive care before being jetted to a New York hospital where she passed away in the presence of her mother Vanessa Redgrave and husband Liam Neeson on March 18.

According to the transcripts obtained by Toronto’s The Globe and Mail, the star showed normal signs during the ambulance ride but had no idea where she was, what day it was or what had happened to her.

Medics had arrived at 1 p.m. but were turned away after the actress declined medical help.

But after she complained of severe headaches two hours later, the resort called 911.

“I’m arriving with a female in her 40s…[she's] disoriented…It’s following…a ski fall that happened at noon. Soon afterward she presents signs of confusion, a concussion,” E!Online quoted a medic as radioing to the local hospital.

By 6:38 p.m., Richardson had been transferred to the Montreal’s Sacri-Coeur, but by then her “pupils were unresponsive, a sign of advanced brain damage.”

It was further added that, “Some have said a medical helicopter, which can make the trip from Mont Tremblant to Sacri-Coeur in less than 30 minutes, might have saved Ms. Richardson.”

Richardson died after suffering a blood clot on the brain as a result from her fall. (ANI)

Natasha Richardson ‘refused’ to wear #6 helmet before skiing accident

London, March 21 (ANI): Natasha Richardson, who died in a skiing accident in Canada, had reportedly refused to wear a 6-pound rented helmet, which could have averted the tragedy.

The Oscar-winning actress had met with an accident and suffered a head injury during a private ski lesson at Mont Tremblant resort on March 16.

The 45-year-old had initially showed no signs of injury but later complained of a headache, and was admitted to the Hospitalier Laurentien.

She was shifted to intensive care before being jetted to a New York hospital where she passed away in the presence of her mother Vanessa Redgrave and husband Liam Neeson on March 18.

While one doctor had suggested that the star may have suffered a blood clot on the brain, another said her condition could have been “talk and die syndrome” that sees the patient appear unharmed by an impact but later suffers a rapid collection of blood between the skull and the brain.

Staff members believe Natasha’s life may have been spared had the security precaution been undertaken.

“We are heartbroken that we didn’t do more to persuade her to wear one. A helmet would have cost her just ten dollars (Canadian),” the Sun quoted a staff member as saying.

“Every skier is encouraged to wear a helmet, especially beginners like Natasha. But it is not legally enforced and they can always refuse.

“I remember Natasha coming into the shop before her lesson. She seemed cheerful, bright and extremely beautiful.

“She said she wasn’t a good skier and was a little nervous. She spoke to other staff about her equipment, and they offered her some headgear,” the employee added. (ANI)

Rihanna, Chris Brown back in LA

Washington, Mar 3 (ANI): Rihanna and Chris Brown are back in Los Angeles after reportedly reconciling in Miami.

The duo was spotted together at Miami International Airport, reports Usmagazine.com.

Brown photographed arriving on a private jet in Los Angeles. ihanna, 21, was also photographed in L.A.

The pair met in Miami – less than three weeks after Brown allegedly battered the ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker the night before the Grammy Awards on February 8.

According to sources, Chris, 21, and Rihanna, 24, stayed at rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ mansion on Star Island near Miami.

Though Rihanna wasn’t photographed, Brown was spotted over the weekend, smiling, riding a jet ski. (ANI)

Kashmir takes up skiing in a big way

Gulmarg, Mar 3 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took up skiing to promote tourism after inaugurating the international skiing championship, ‘Gulmarg Global Derby 2009′.

“What better promotion of Gulmarg can I do than to show people that even I can ski without the whole cordon of security people skiing down the mountain with me. This is the message that I want to send out that Jammu and Kashmir is open to business, and its open to tourists,” Abdullah said.

The International Winter Games is being organised by the All India Winter Games Federation. Nine countries, including the US and Russia, are participating in the three-day event.

Increasing numbers of foreign skiers are now whizzing down the pristine Himalayan slopes of Kashmir.

“We feel it’s a fantastic place because it is very different from our Alps. It’s full of snow. The ambience is really exciting and it’s beautiful,” said Lewton, a skier from Italy.

About 250 skiers including 50 foreigners are expected to take part in the three-day international winter games.

The vent would include cross-country skiing competition followed by Alpine run super slalom.

Gulmarg, a bowl shaped plateau at an altitude of 8,500 feet in the Pir Panjal ranges is a favourite destination for tourists to indulge in winter sports.

The slopes in Gulmarg varying between 8,700 and 10,500 feet are the highest ski runs in India. Heli-skiing is another winter sport that is quite popular at Gulmarg, which boasts of being the only heli-skiing resort in Asia. (ANI)

Golfer Norman says Evert has restored his freedom

Melbourne, Mar.1 (ANI): Golf superstar Greg Norman has claimed that former tennis star Chris Evert, whom he married last year, has restored his sense of freedom.

Having provided a 100 million dollar settlement to ex-wife Laura Andrassy, Norman will tell in an interview on Channel Nine’s 60 minutes how his ex-wife restricted the friends he was able to keep.

“You know, it’s an amazing thing when a certain amount of burden is taken off your back, a certain amount of freedom is given back to you,” the Daily Telegraph quotes Norman, as saying.
He says he has become more relaxed and has settled in his new marriage – a point agreed on by his parents and close friends.
During the course of the interview, the pair reveal how they moved from being admirers of each other’s sporting ability, to becoming friends, confidants and, ultimately, lovers.

When asked whether she was intimidated by the publicity that would surround the nature of their relationship, Evert says love overcomes everything.

“I got to the point where there’s no turning back. Is it scary? No, because there’s just no turning back,” she says.

“You’re aware of the consequences and the hurt and everything but, you know, love is a funny thing.”
Evert’s three children with American ski champion Andy Mill live with her and Norman in Florida.

In the interview, Norman and Evert deny Andrassy’s veiled suggestions that Norman and Evert were involved in a relationship with each other before their respective marriages had ended.

Now married seven months, Norman and Evert are planning to set up a base in Australia and hope to build a golf and tennis academy here to give young Australian players the chance to achieve success on the world stage.(ANI)

Golfer Norman says Evert has restored his freedom

Melbourne, Mar.1 (ANI): Golf superstar Greg Norman has claimed that former tennis star Chris Evert, whom he married last year, has restored his sense of freedom.

Having provided a 100 million dollar settlement to ex-wife Laura Andrassy, Norman will tell in an interview on Channel Nine’s 60 minutes how his ex-wife restricted the friends he was able to keep.

“You know, it’s an amazing thing when a certain amount of burden is taken off your back, a certain amount of freedom is given back to you,” the Daily Telegraph quotes Norman, as saying.
He says he has become more relaxed and has settled in his new marriage – a point agreed on by his parents and close friends.
During the course of the interview, the pair reveal how they moved from being admirers of each other’s sporting ability, to becoming friends, confidants and, ultimately, lovers.

When asked whether she was intimidated by the publicity that would surround the nature of their relationship, Evert says love overcomes everything.

“I got to the point where there’s no turning back. Is it scary? No, because there’s just no turning back,” she says.

“You’re aware of the consequences and the hurt and everything but, you know, love is a funny thing.”
Evert’s three children with American ski champion Andy Mill live with her and Norman in Florida.

In the interview, Norman and Evert deny Andrassy’s veiled suggestions that Norman and Evert were involved in a relationship with each other before their respective marriages had ended.

Now married seven months, Norman and Evert are planning to set up a base in Australia and hope to build a golf and tennis academy here to give young Australian players the chance to achieve success on the world stage.(ANI)

Golfer Norman says Evert has restored his freedom

Melbourne, Mar.1 (ANI): Golf superstar Greg Norman has claimed that former tennis star Chris Evert, whom he married last year, has restored his sense of freedom.

Having provided a 100 million dollar settlement to ex-wife Laura Andrassy, Norman will tell in an interview on Channel Nine’s 60 minutes how his ex-wife restricted the friends he was able to keep.

“You know, it’s an amazing thing when a certain amount of burden is taken off your back, a certain amount of freedom is given back to you,” the Daily Telegraph quotes Norman, as saying.
He says he has become more relaxed and has settled in his new marriage – a point agreed on by his parents and close friends.
During the course of the interview, the pair reveal how they moved from being admirers of each other’s sporting ability, to becoming friends, confidants and, ultimately, lovers.

When asked whether she was intimidated by the publicity that would surround the nature of their relationship, Evert says love overcomes everything.

“I got to the point where there’s no turning back. Is it scary? No, because there’s just no turning back,” she says.

“You’re aware of the consequences and the hurt and everything but, you know, love is a funny thing.”
Evert’s three children with American ski champion Andy Mill live with her and Norman in Florida.

In the interview, Norman and Evert deny Andrassy’s veiled suggestions that Norman and Evert were involved in a relationship with each other before their respective marriages had ended.

Now married seven months, Norman and Evert are planning to set up a base in Australia and hope to build a golf and tennis academy here to give young Australian players the chance to achieve success on the world stage.(ANI)

Soldiers to use shock-absorbent gel to stop bullets

London, Feb 28 (ANI): Scientists have invented a new shock-absorbent “bullet-busting” gel that locks instantly into a solidified form when it is hit at high impact, which could be fitted inside soldiers’ helmets, making them impenetrable.

According to a report in New Scientist, scientist Richard Palmer invented the D3O shock absorbing material, with funding from the Ministry of Defence (MOD), UK Government.

It is hoped that the shock-absorbing substance will soon be fitted onto the inside of soldiers’ helmets, reducing in half the kinetic energy of a bullet or piece of shrapnel and hopefully making them impenetrable.

The gel locks instantly into a solidified form when it is hit at high impact.

“When moved slowly, the molecules will slip past each other, but in a high-energy impact they will snag and lock together, becoming solid,” said Palmer. “In doing so they absorb energy,” he added.

The d3O gel has already expanded into a range of sporting goods and is found in ski gloves, shin guards, ballet shoe pointes and horse-riding equipment.

The substance relies on “intelligent molecules” that “shock lock” together to absorb energy and create a solid pad. Once the pressure has gone they return to their normal flexible state.

The gel is stitched into clothing or equipment that is supple until it stiffens into a protective barrier on impact.

If the product is taken on by defence contractors, it could be used to reduce the current bulky and restrictive armour used by troops in on the frontline with gel pads inserted into key protective areas. (ANI)

Pak Information Minister says Musa Khankhel’s killing an ‘attack on free media’

Lahore, Feb.18 (ANI): Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman on Wednesday denounced the tragic killing of Geo News correspondent Musa Khankhel in the Matta area of the Swat Valley.

Terming the killing as an attack on the independence of the media in Pakistan, Rehman said the murderers of Khankhel would be arrested soon and tried in a court of law.

Rehman assured the family of Khankhel complete financial support by the government.

Khankhel was shot dead while he was on duty in the Matta area.

The bereaved family has demanded that the Pakistan Government bring the perpetrators to justice.

The murder of Khankhel took place in Matta even as thousands of men marched for peace in another part of Pakistan”"”s troubled Swat Valley.

The march was led by Sufi Mohammad, the man who signed a deal to enforce Sharia’s law to end a bloody insurgency.

“I have come here to establish peace and I will not leave until this mission is achieved,” Sufi Mohammad told people in Mingora.

About 15,000 people participated in the march in the crowd, waving black and white flags. The cleric advised them to recite only Quranic verses.

The elderly cleric walked behind several rows of followers, who were mostly bearded and sporting black turbans. Mohammad, who was wearing a black waistcoat and white shalwar kamiz avoided the gaze of television cameras as he walked.

Local gathered to greet Mohammad, who was jailed in Pakistan for six years after returning from Afghanistan where he led thousands of supporters to fight against US-led troops who toppled the Taliban in 2001.

The controversial deal between Mohammad and the Pakistani Government to enforce sharia law has sparked concern in the International community.

The cleric left Mingora later Wednesday for the nearby town of Matta, where he was hoping to meet Taliban firebrand, Maulana Fazlullah and other Taliban leaders to persuade them to disarm, according to his spokesman Amir Izzat.

No date for any meeting has been announced.

Fazlullah led his two-year bloody campaign to enforce sharia in Swat, while his father-in-law Mohammad was languished in a Pakistani jail.

Thousands of Fazlullah”"”s men have spent two years beheading opponents, bombing schools, outlawing entertainment and fighting government forces in Swat, a former ski resort, causing tens of thousands of people to flee.

It remains unclear how much influence Mohammad can bring to bear over his firebrand son-in-law, who is believed to have around 3,000 armed followers. (ANI)

Geo news correspondent killed in Swat Valley

Swat Valley (Pakistan), Feb.18 (ANI): Geo News and The News correspondent, Mosa Khankhel was killed here on Wednesday.

The murder of Khankhel took place in Matta even as thousands of men marched for peace in another part of Pakistan”s troubled Swat Valley.

The march was led by Sufi Mohammad, the man who signed a deal to enforce Sharia’s law to end a bloody insurgency.

“I have come here to establish peace and I will not leave until this mission is achieved,” Sufi Mohammad told people in Mingora.

About 15,000 people participated in the march in the crowd, waving black and white flags. The cleric advised them to recite only Quranic verses.

The elderly cleric walked behind several rows of followers, who were mostly bearded and sporting black turbans. Mohammad, who was wearing a black waistcoat and white shalwar kamiz avoided the gaze of television cameras as he walked.

Local gathered to greet Mohammad, who was jailed in Pakistan for six years after returning from Afghanistan where he led thousands of supporters to fight against US-led troops who toppled the Taliban in 2001.

The controversial deal between Mohammad and the Pakistani Government to enforce sharia law has sparked concern in the International community.

The cleric left Mingora later Wednesday for the nearby town of Matta, where he was hoping to meet Taliban firebrand, Maulana Fazlullah and other Taliban leaders to persuade them to disarm, according to his spokesman Amir Izzat.

No date for any meeting has been announced.

Fazlullah led his two-year bloody campaign to enforce sharia in Swat, while his father-in-law Mohammad was languished in a Pakistani jail.

Thousands of Fazlullah”s men have spent two years beheading opponents, bombing schools, outlawing entertainment and fighting government forces in Swat, a former ski resort, causing tens of thousands of people to flee.

It remains unclear how much influence Mohammad can bring to bear over his firebrand son-in-law, who is believed to have around 3,000 armed followers. (ANI)

Austrian ski federation to take legal action over doping claims

Austrian ski federation to take legal action over doping claims Hamburg – The Austrian ski federation (OeSV) announced Monday that it is to take legal action against L’Equipe after the French sports newspaper published an article claiming an Austrian biathlete was one of five skiers who had failed a dope test.

“The OeSV biathletes have undergone doping controls several times in recent weeks and following discussions with the national anti- doping agency (NADA) and the IBU
(International Biathlon Union) there are absolutely no complaints,” said OeSV sporting director Markus Gandler in a statement.

“The Austrian ski federation will take legal steps against the L’Equipe newspaper because of this.”

The weekend allegations couldn’t come at a worse time with Austria’s biathletes preparing for the world championships in South Korea’s Pyeongchang, which take place February 14-22. (dpa)

Val d’Isere has rich tradition and changeable weather

Val d'Isere has rich tradition and changeable weatherVal d’Isere, France – Val d’Isere, venue for the February 2- 15 alpine ski world championships, has a rich skiing tradition and has produced some of the biggest names in the sport.

The local sports club prides itself on being the most titled ski club in the world, with the legendary Jean-Claude Killy and the Goitschel sisters Christine and Marielle among its luminaries.

“Val d’Isere adores skiing and skiing adores Val d’Isere,” the venue claims on its website.

Located at an altitude of 1,850 metres at the far end of the Tarentaise valley in Savoy, the resort is known for the Espace Killy ski region, named after the triple gold medallist at the 1968 Olympic six-time world champion.

Despite much in the way of new construction the venue, which was scene of alpine competition at the 1992 Albertville winter Games, has retained its charm.

The venue is framed by the spectacular Solaise and Bellevarde mountains, with the two slopes – the women on the Solaise and the men on the Bellevarde – meeting at the joint finishing line.

The steep Bellevarde piste, designed for the 1992 Albertville Olympics and almost three kilometres long, is particular demanding.

The organizers are offering free entry to lure some 20,000 fans each race day, and with a record participation of 68 countries hopes to create a memorable atmosphere.

Their one concern will be the unpredictable weather conditions in the Savoy Alps, with fog and wind often a problem. (dpa)