It was a different start of the season than normally. 

First off Lindsey Vonn got rejected, who wanted to compete in the mens world cup and secondly the new regulation by the FIS about the skis. Many skiers were unhappy with the longer and smaller skis, that had to prevent skiers from going to fast with the hope of a decrease in the risk of injuries. American GS-king Ted Ligety had no problems adjusting.  However, after Ligety’s first training, it turned out the skis did the opposite; Ligety came indeed faster down the slope . The FIS is now in an awkward position and are now forced in to changing the regulations again. 

After the first half of the season Ted Ligety dominates the GS races but in the overall Norwegian skier Aksel Lund Svindal is on his way to become the champion of the first half of the season. It looks like Ted Ligety and last years world cup champion Marcel Hirscher will battle for the 2 and 3 place. After a very impressive performance at the night slalom race from Hirscher at Madonna di Campiglio, he confiscated the 2nd place. However with one race left, for Hirscher, Svindal and Ligety anything is possible. 

Fortunately the first half of the season has not known any heavy injuries.  

Perhaps the skier, where we have to keep an eye on, during the mens races this year, is the Italian Manfred Moelgg. Last year he finished 41st with just 222 points but is now on a 5th place with 236 points already. Nevertheless we have to take skiers such as Carlo Janka Christof Innerhofer, Benjamin Raich and 2011 champion Iva Kostelic into account.

Overlooking the womens competition we see the same battle for the first 7 places as last year.

Tina Maze is almost sure of her first half victory but for the following places, all things are possible. After an outstanding performance last week from Viktoria Rebensburg at the GS race in Åre in Sweden the 2nd position until the 7th position is yet to be decided in the last Giant Slalom and Slalom race in Semmering, Austria on the 28th and 29th of december.

The most remarkable point maybe in the ladies competition is Lindsey Vonn. Vonn has been in the hospital due to intestine problems. After she competed in some races but did not cross the finish. We can only hope Lindsey Vonn will be back in the new season to entertain us with her fine skiing as she did last year. However we don’t have to suffer, skiers like Riesch, Maze, Gut, Mancuso and many others still let us sit on the edge of our seat and leave us with sweaty hands.  British skier Chemmy Alcott currently holds the 89th place and is working on her come back after suffering from a serious injury on her leg.

Another great miss in the World cup this year is Didier Cuche, the former champion in the downhill discipline retired last year and is now advisor for the Swiss ski team. 

Perhaps the most exciting race that is waiting for us in 2013 is the famous and prestiges Hahnenkamm race.  It is said to be the fastest and most dangerous of races the season has to offer, including lots of jumps and sharp turns. The most famous jump in this race is known as ‘die Mausefalle’ - the Mousetrap - where skiers cross more than 60 meters through the air before landing back on their skis in the snow.

Cuche won this race 5 times and is currently record holder on this slope. Ski legend Franz Klammer has ‘only’ 4 victories in Kitzbühel. 

Didier defago from the Swiss ski team is a name we have to remember when the Hahnenkamm race commences as he has won the race before. Eyes will be on the Swiss team to see what they can do and if Didier Cuche can transfer some of his magic that he had on this slope to the other skiers. 

In the mean time we can look forward to the mens last Downhill race of this year on 28 december in Bormio Italy and the womens Giant Slalom and Slalom race on 28 and 29 december in Semmering, Austria.