Alpine Worlds Open in Schladming

SCHLADMING, Austria (Feb. 4) - It's time! Schladming is ready as gold, silver and bronze medals are waiting for their first recipients when the 42nd FIS Alpine Ski World Championships open with women's super G Tuesday. The U.S. Ski Team's number one speed team in the world will send four top-15 ranked women into the starting gates including defending silver medalist Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, CA), defending four-time Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super G champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), 10th ranked Leanne Smith (N. Conway, NH) and 15th ranked Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR). Universal Sports and NBC will broadcast every second of competition from Schladming.

FIS ALPINE SKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
U.S. Ski Team - Women's Super G Starters
Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, CA)
Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO)
Leanne Smith (N. Conway, NH)
Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, CA) is the defending silver medalist and currently ranked third in the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super G standings. She was bronze medalist in super G at Bormio/Santa Caterina in 2005. It's her sixth World Championships.
• Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) has won four straight Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super G titles and presently second in the standings. She won gold in super G in 2009 at Val d'Isere and silver in 2007 at Are. It's her fifth World Championships.
• Leanne Smith (N. Conway, NH) is currently ranked 10th in the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super G standings. She was 19th in super G in 2011 at Garmisch-Partenkirchen and has two top 10s this season.
• Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR) is currently ranked 15th in the World Cup super G. She was 16th in 2011 at Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
• Heavy snow was falling Monday in Schladming with a rough and tumble race expected for Tuesday with fresh snow conditions.
• Over 20,000 fans are expected.
• The 2015 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships will return to the USA for Vail/Beaver Creek 2015.

Racetime: 5:00 a.m. EST
Universal Sports Network: 11:00 a.m. EST

COMPETITION AND BROADCAST SCHEDULE (all times Eastern Standard)
FIS Alpine World Ski Championships
Schladming, Austria
Feb. 4 – Opening Ceremony
Feb. 5 – Women's super G, 11 a.m., Universal Sports Network
Feb. 6 – Men's super G, 11 a.m., Universal Sports Network
Feb. 8 – Women's super combined, 11 a.m., Universal Sports Network
Feb. 9 – Men's downhill, 3 p.m. NBC and 4 p.m., Universal Sports Network
Feb. 10 – Women's downhill, 3 p.m. NBC and 4 p.m., Universal Sports Network
Feb. 11 – Men's super combined, 12 p.m., Universal Sports Network
Feb. 12 – Nations Team Event
Feb. 14 – Women's giant slalom, 11 a.m., Universal Sports Network
Feb. 15 – Men's giant slalom, 11 a.m., Universal Sports Network
Feb. 16 – Women's slalom, 3 p.m. NBC and 4 p.m., Universal Sports Network
Feb. 17 – Men's slalom, 11 a.m., Universal Sports Network

NOTE: Times represent broadcast airtmes; event will be lived streamed for Universal Sports Network subscribers.