2008-03-02 11:50:05 -
The World Record in the Allgäu succeeded. Christian Flühr (34, www.cf-1.net, SC Pallas Berlin) and Sylvie Maier (19, www.SnowAngel.de.ms) achieved a precision landing with completing 60 different lifts within one day in the Oberallgäu.
The start of THE Race Across THE Allgäu was on Tuesday, 26th of February, at six o'clock in the early morning at Riedberger Horn and ended
almost 13 hours later in Germany's highest locality, the Oberjoch. On their way through the skiing areas of the Allgäu the athletes stopped over in ten stations between Söllereck and Grünten Station. Also the Tyrolean enclave in the Allgäu, Jungholz, was a setting of the felicitous World Record attempt. It was the first record for Sylvie Maier but already the 10th for Christian Flühr (in three different disciplines).
Start with the first sun beams
When they started at six o'clock in the early morning at Riedberger Horn Sylvie Maier, Christian Flühr and the former World Cup Skier Berni Huber were the only ones on the slopes. Half an hour later they continued in Germany's most snow-reliable skiing area, Grasgehren, where the three enjoyed the sunrise over the Allgäuer Alps at the Bolgengrat. 'Alone this is a really good reason to get up so early in the morning. It is really a winter-wonder-land!' The 10-fold record holder enjoyed the sunrise at the cloudless sky. Not only the world record aspirants and their prominent attender were impressed by the gorgeous sunrise but also the six camera crews of the television stations, which did not miss the chance to accompany the two athletes through the Allgäuer Alps, could not help but wonder.
After nine lifts at eight o'clock Berni Huber took leave of the two. According to the program the next station were the lifts in Fischen, the deepest point of the Odyssey through the Allgäuer skiing areas.
For Christian Flühr the two lifts are very special. With only two years he made at these lifts his first experiences on skis between the legs of his father.
Alpine Coaster as change
After making a detour to Fischen a treat was waiting for Maier and Flühr in Oberstdorf at the Söllereck. Before continuing the world record attempt both entered the Söllereck-sledge and dashed down the Alpine Coaster. 'An absolute super feeling. Almost as good as skiing.' Sylvie annotated after the ride. After this they continued with the slopes around the Söllereck, which were in a perfect condition despite of the warm temperatures. 'Handy and perfect for carving.' Christian Flühr reported.
In the late forenoon they had the opportunity to restore with a small but delicious breakfast in the Berwanger Hof. It was the last break for the day. Hereon they proceeded at the Hörnerbahn. Gerhard Speiser, the former World Cup Skier welcomed Sylvie and Christian in his own ski school arena and showed them the slopes around the Weiherkopf and Horngrat.
Almost an hour later the binding was closed another time in the World Cup Skiing Area Ofterschwang-Gunzesried. 15°C over cero and a glistening sun harried the firn on the slopes of the Ofterschwanger Horn, even so Flühr and Maier got half of their pensum over with after completing these slopes.
'Skiing with temperatures like that makes bouncing calves and it is enjoyable to ski without these bulky skiing jackets.' Christian laughed in the World-Cup-Express.
At the Grünten with a skiing legend
The longest distance to go between two skiing areas was the way from Ofterschwang to the Grüntenlifte, Rettenberg. On the north side of the Grünten the operator managed, despite little snow, to start running all lifts. 'Fractional on the way up with the lifts we had to walk a tightrope, but anyway it was a top class experience.' Sylvie beamed with joy. At the Grünten lifts another skiing legend insisted on accompanying the world record duo. The owner Gerhard Prinzing guided through his skiing area and took at half past two the last ski run with his special guests.
In Jungholz everything was white
The next part after Rettenberg-Kranzegg was a detour to the bordering Austria. In Jungholz even in the valley everything was white. There seven lifts followed. From the lift station at the Sorgschrofen the next destination, the Spieser lifts at Unterjoch, could be seen.
During a great sunset the final after the long day on skis began at the Grenzwieslift, Oberjoch. In the end the two skier used the chair lift to the Iseler in the alpine training centre (ATA). At eight o'clock in the afternoon in the valley station Herbert John, president of the Allgäu ski association, handed out the certificate for the new world record. 'Everybody is very glad the World Record worked like a charm and we are sure the extraordinary idea of Christian Flühr contributes to advertise how perfect the skiing conditions are in the Allgäu.' The chief executive officer of the mountain railway Hindelang Eric Enders noted at the award ceremony representative for all participating mountain railways. To conclude the evening the athletes and their team celebrated by typical 'Allgäuer Käss-Spatz'n' in the mountain hotel Höhenwirt, Sonthofen.
Further information to THE Race Across THE Allgäu you can find at www.cf-1.net and www.SnowAngel.de.ms
