Schladming, Austria – Schladming is ready as gold, silver and bronze medals are waiting for their first recipients when the 42nd FIS Alpine Ski World Championships open with women’s super G on Tuesday.

Heavy snow was falling Monday in Schladming, with a rough and tumble race expected for Tuesday with fresh snow conditions. Over 20,000 fans are expected to witness the competition.

The U.S. Ski Team’s speed squad will send four top-15 ranked super G women into the starting gates including defending silver medalist Julia Mancuso (currently ranked third), defending four-time Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super G champion Lindsey Vonn (currently ranked second), 10^th ranked Leanne Smith and 15^th ranked Laurenne Ross.

Squaw Valley, Calif.’s Mancuso is not only the defending Worlds super G silver medalist, but this will be her sixth World Championships.   She was also the bronze medalist in super G at Bormio/Santa Caterina, Italy, in 2005. Vonn, meanwhile, has won four straight Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super G titles. The Vail, Colo. resident won World Championships gold in super G in 2009 at Val d’Isere, France, and silver in 2007 at Are, Sweden. It’s her fifth World Championships.

The FIS Alpine Ski World Championships will return to the USA in Vail/Beaver Creek, Colo, in 2015.

COMPETITION SCHEDULE
FIS Alpine World Ski Championships
Schladming, Austria
Feb. 4 – Opening Ceremony
Feb. 5 – Women’s super G
Feb. 6 – Men’s super G
Feb. 8 – Women’s super combined
Feb. 9 – Men’s downhill
Feb. 10 – Women’s downhill
Feb. 11 – Men’s super combined
Feb. 12 – Nations Team Event
Feb. 14 – Women’s giant slalom
Feb. 15 – Men’s giant slalom
Feb. 16 – Women’s slalom
Feb. 17 – Men’s slalom