| GUFLER Michael (ITA) |
24,Mar,1979. Merano (Bz), Home: Moso (Bz)
185cm / 86kg
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SKI: Atomic
BOOTS: Atomic
BINDING: Atomic
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| Solden 03 GS |
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World Cup Ranking
General
2002/141st, 2003/91st, 2004/82nd, 2005/122nd, 2006/115th,
Special
2004 GS/35th, SG/30th. 2005 SG/37th. 2006 SG/33rd.
World Championships
2003 St.Moritz K/18th, SG/25th.
Olympic games
World Cup
| 10. |
GS: |
Yong Pyomg 03, |
| 16. |
SG: |
Lake Louise 03, |
| 22. |
SG: |
Kitzbuhel 06, |
| 23. |
GS: |
Soelden 04, |
| 24. |
SG: |
Garmisch 06, |
| 25. |
SG: |
Garmisch 02, |
| 26. |
SG: |
Kitzbuhel 03, |
| 28. |
SG: |
Val Gardena 06, |
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Yong Pyong (Korea) - March 1st - 2003. Italy's Michael Gufler imitated
his friend and room-mate Peter Fill in becoming the gWinStar of the Raceh
in Yong Pyong's giant slalom which he finished at the excellent 10th place
despite his start-number 47. Last December Fill was 6th in Val d'Isere
with his bib number 57! The 23-year-old racer was of the fastest skiers
in the second run!
Gufler, who competes in his first full World Cup season after achieving
strong performances last winter on the Europa Cup tour, is part of this
young and aggressive Italian giant slalom team which aims to dominate the
circuit within a few years. He is one of the eight most promising Italian
athletes who form this very motivated and confident group. In November,
he reached a promising 16th place in a Super-G in Lake Louise, Canada,
missing by 34/100 of a second the chance to enter the top-15 and be considered
for the gwinStar of the Raceh award that day. In Korea, it's the first
time ever that the skier from Moso, near Merano, in South Tyrol, was able
to qualify for the second run in a giant slalom.
A Carabinieri as many of his
colleagues, Michael Gufler grew up in the family farm located in a small ski
resort situated down the superb Rombo Pass which leads towards Soelden, where
the World Cup opening takes place each fall. None of his five brothers and
sisters tried to become ski racer, but Michael started soon to be interested by
alpine competition. He entered the gSquadra Azzurrah four years ago and was
named in the gA-Teamh last summer after ending the slalom, the giant slalom and
the overall Europa Cup 2002 standings in 3rd place. These excellent results
guaranteed him a spot in the World Cup team and he was able to confirm his
talent this winter.
gI had some good result in the speed events yet in giant slalom things
didn't go as well as I hoped h he explained after the race. gI was very
inspired by the brilliant performances of Peter Fill who qualified for
the World Championships in St Moritz. In fact Peter also gave me some good
advice today, especially after the first run. He told me to take a maximum
of risks in the second run and make the best out of my good start-number.
He was right. It was a great opportunity and Ifm happy to have followed
his example. A top-10 place is an important step in a racer's career.h
Gufler is not only known in his group as an excellent skier but also as
a play-station expert and a strong car-player too. gHe can spent entire
days playing his gamesh said Fill about him. gWe often play cards together,
it's funh. The next goal of their group is to celebrated soon a first
victory on the World Cup tour. gIt's tough to make the top-10 but then
it becomes even harder. When you see who was on the podium today, you can
understand that it can take a long time. Skiers as von Grunigen, Miller
or Covili are not only very experienced but also great champions. Von Grunigen
gave us a true lesson todayh. Next week in Shiga Kogen, he will try to
repeat his performance to qualify for the Finals in Lillehammer.
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Biorama Basel |
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