December 27, 2008 – The first two FIS Telemark World Cup events have taken place in the last ten days. The 2008/2009 Telemark season started in Les Houches (Fra) with a sprint and Classic races on December 13-14 and continued at the 2007 Telemark World Championships venue of Thyon (Sui) with another classic and the season opening giant slalom competitions on December 16-18.

After the first four events, the ladies’ overall rankings are led by Swiss skier Amelie Reymond who finished second at both of the two competitions in France and won each competition on her home snow. With a total of 360 points, she has established a lead of 35 points over Sigrid Ryhus of Norway. In the men’s rankings, last season’s dominator Boerge Soevik (Nor) has again claimed the lead, with 300 points he is just 15 points ahead of Sweden’s Mathias Wagenius. Another Norwegian, Eirik Rykhus who took last season off is back in the fight, sitting in 3rd position just 17 points behind Wagenius.

All in all athletes from 14 nations have already scored World Cup points in the first four competitions. The World Cup season will continue on January 17-18 in Kobla (Slo) before the two long World Cup weekends in Norway, in Rjukan and Bjorli, in March. The season highlight will be presented by the FIS Telemark World Championships 2009 that will be staged in Kreischberg-Murau (Aut) from January 21-25, 2009.