Snow And Black Queen Awards Presented

ZAGREB, CROATIA – Maria Riesch is the third Snow Queen of the same-titled ladies` slalom race at Zagreb`s Mount Sljeme. Her victory was able and fortunate, which is the characteristic of all previous editions of this World Cup competition. Just remember how Janica Kostelic, Anja Paerson or Ana Jelusic skidded off the track.

Black Queen time

Because of all these events, the Snow Queen Trophy might start handing out Black Queen awards to all injured and unfortunate skiers who go down Mount Sljeme.

Regardless of the falls, nobody was dissatisfied, because the award fund for the skiers is huge: 165,000 euros. The winners get 60,000, second place is rewarded with 30,000, while third place is rewarded with 15,000 euros. The last person in the 30 th position receives 1,000 euros.

For instance, the Golden Fox competition in Maribor has a 68,000 euro reward fund, which is presented to the top ten skiers. It is no wonder that all skiers simply love the Snow Queen, because nobody is as generous as Zagreb is.

Unlike the Golden Fox, which is primarily a skiing event, Sljeme is a real spectacle, compared with concerts, competition draws, entertainment programmes for the audience, the legends` race and everything else the viewers need – for four days in a row. In return, thousands of people loudly cheer on every skier and this is what fascinates the competitors.

Sljeme should be turned into a world brand

Also, the organisation was immaculate, everything was in the perfect order. There were no crowds, even though thousands of people gathered in one place. The food and drink were offered at all times and nobody was hungry or thirsty.

- Everything was excellent. If I were to describe the ladies` slalom and everything around it in football jargon, I`d say it was 1:0 for us – spokesperson of the Snow Queen Trophy, and the jack-of-all-trades of the event Nenad Eror said.

Hard-working Sljeme staff made all the critics quiet, as they claimed the Sljeme race was not worth it, since it costs 28 million kuna (approximately 3.8 million euros). However, it does pay off, financially and because of the message Croatia is sending out.

Great skier Alberto Tomba claims such skiing events simply do not happen in the world, while all other contestants share his view. Perhaps skiing is not a globally popular sport, but this is no reason to criticise Sljeme – everyone should do their bit to create it into a brand.

Ever since Zagreb got the male slalom race, and a five-year contract according to which it gets the first weekend after the New Year, interest in the Snow Queen Trophy has increased. The race was broadcast live in 15 countries, while 28 showed footage of it. Of course, TV earnings are enormous, just like the profit from prestigious sponsors, as there were many of them, more than last year.

Everyone hopes Ivica Kostelic will win

The only thing that was lacking were good results from the hosts, however, not a lot was expected from them because both Nika Fleiss and Ana Jelusic had problem with injuries and the important thing was just to finish the race. Perhaps they could have finished better but one should not be dissatisfied. Especially since everyone knew the hosts would not get up on a throne, but 10,000 viewers came to cheer everyone on, nevertheless. In comparison, some 7,000 fans rooted last year.

The only objections were voiced over something nobody could affect, which is the weather. It was too sunny and the snow was soft and slippery. All skiers complained, however, the conditions were the same for everyone, just like one of the organisers and head of the Croatian Skiing Association Vedran Pavlek said.

Now, the first task has been concluded and it is up for the men, who will compete in the night slalom race for the first time. Expectations for the men`s slalom are greater: a lot is expected from Ivica Kostelic and he announces a great deal as well. Surely, more viewers will come and the atmosphere will be even better. If only Ivica would win the Trophy, then Sljeme would erupt with joy and everyone would be pleased in every way.

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