Tough qualifier for SCOTT11 in Val di Sole

For the first time in a long time, a qualifier was held in dry conditions. The sun was out and the track changed quickly from mud to dust. This didn't seem to make things much easier though, as there were plenty of crashes. For once, the SCOTT11 athletes had a tough time on the challenging course.

Only Floriane Pugin had a decent run and qualified in 4th position.
Emilie Siegenthaler qualified in 9th position after a crash.
Fabien Pedemanaud impresses us with his toughness. After dislocating his shoulder during the french championships and the world cup in Champéry, he did so again during practice this morning, and again during the qualifier, which led to a crash just after the start. He's trying to fight his way through sundays race, to then be able to take care of himself during the three weeks before the world cup finals in Windham.
Nick Beer also had a hard crash, but his top 20 position in the overall ranking allows for a start at sunday's final, just like Fabien Pedemanaud.
Our Junior Freddy Hunziker will need another try to qualify for a world cup final.


After the downhill qualifier, team manager Claudio Caluori took his opportunity to ride a lap on the XC track with SCOTT-Swisspower team manager Thomas Frischknecht and only just made it to the finish line without passing out, trying to keep up with the former world champion, which might be the biggest success of the day.

www.freecaster.tv is currently showing two different helmet cam runs from Fabien and Nick. Check them out!