Wednesday Schladming:

First up, the weather. It’s been blue skies and sunshine for the last two days. Maria who works as a waitress in the town still reckons it’s going to piss it down on Saturday, but for now we’re enjoying the good weather.

Things are happening slowly round here today. The press room only opened an hour ago. Teams have been slowly turning up and the riders have been signing on the dotted line. The track opened for an inspection this afternoon and the general consensus was that it was “mazin”.

The pit set up seems a bit random with teams dotted around the town making the scene a bit fragmented.

Talking of pits. MS-Intense who have had the largest pit set up of all this season have gone one bigger. For Schladming they are building what can only be described as a huge erection. This thing is so big that word has it they even needed planning permission. Some say it can even be seen from outer space. Whatever, it’s huge and is not even finished yet.

The view of the finish arena. Apparently that building on the right (which is coincidentally Austrias biggest apres ski bar) wasn’t there last year, it’s just suddenly appeared.

Sam and Brendan walking the track this afternoon. Hill commented that the course looked a bit smoother than usual, it looked pretty rough to me, but with three wins in the last three years here I think he knows best. Brendog also likes the track, bagging a fifth in 2006, he could do well this weekend.

Finally if you’re coming to spectate then don’t what ever you do bring your roller boots. They are frowned upon here. I had my pair confiscated by the Polizei and a 50 euro fine for doing a bit of roller boogey in the town centre.

Schladming WC Wednesday