Schladming World Cup - Saturday PM report

SCHLADMING, Austria (transcendmagazine.com) -- Report by Chris Kilmurray. Another relaxed practice session over here in Schladming, there isin't a feeling of urgency from anyone in the pits, just a nice relaxed vibe to the pits, plenty of sun, more then enough time to bang out the practice runs and a course that everyone loves.

The course is getting real rough in spots, with some big braking bumps and some Moto sized holes in spots, other then the roughness the ruts that are forming because of the damp conditions prior to the weekend are the only other issue for riders. The new woods section has the feel of a mini race day to it with riders and bikes lining the section trying to spot a "holy grail" of a line. Some work was done over night to remove some of the more trouble-some roots making some of the corners in the section easier, but there is still more then enough "tech" to challenge the best.

The only "big name" I saw practicing was Hill, he was 6 feet in the air, pedals higher then the ski-poles, pinned the next rough-as corners then railed the next berm like Carmichael, wouldn't expect much else really

Weather is gonna stay dry and sunny for race day it seems, so no Champery or Vigoesque shenanigans there.

Off to the local pool for some slide action. Keep 'er pinned!

Kathy Sessler Report: The track has changed considerably. Steve Peat said, "All the top tree section that was impossible yesterday with the roots is easy now. They've taken a lot of roots out. Lots of holes are forming. "

Everyone really likes this course. It is getting really rough and beat up.

In timed runs today Hill wass fastest at 4:07, Minnaar at 4:11 and Blenkinsop at 4:12. Peaty and Rennie didn't do timed runs.

Peaty is loving the course