Police title fights

The Haaser siblings cleaned up big in Montafon

Raphael and Ricarda Haaser, as well as Teresa Stadlober and Harald Lemmerer (from left to right), were victorious at the police championships in Montafon.(Bild: Peter Weihs/Kronenzeitung)

The first day of competition at the Austrian Police Championships in Montafon ended with the favorites winning. While Teresa Stadlober and Harald Lemmerer triumphed in the cross-country skiing, a Tyrolean brother and sister were in a class of their own in the alpine skiing.

The foehn storm of the past few days forced the organizers of the Austrian Police Championships in Montafon to determine their title winners on the Bielerhöhe instead of Matschwitz. However, there were no surprises there either - the Olympic bronze medal winner from Beijing, Teresa Stadlober, secured the women's title, while combined skier Harald Lemmerer was the fastest in the men's event.

Raphael Haaser set the fastest time of the day.(Bild: Peter Weihs/Kronenzeitung)

His sister Ricarda was also lightning fast, securing the women's title and leaving numerous men behind.(Bild: Peter Weihs/Kronenzeitung)

Top police sports coordinator Reinfried Herbst did not miss the opportunity to be the forerunner.(Bild: Peter Weihs/Kronenzeitung)

From the Pro Tour to the Police Championships
The giant slalom on Außergolm was on the program for the alpine skiers yesterday. And it was a demonstration of power from the Tyrolean Haaser family. Raphael, who only won World Championship silver in the super slalom on the US Pro Tour in Taos Valley (New Mexico) on Friday, triumphed ahead of Andi Meklau (St) and Gregor Sulzer (Upper Austria). Haaser's older sister Ricarda was in a class of her own in the women's race, winning ahead of Kathi Huber (Lower Austria) and Kathi Truppe (Austria).

Patrick Feurstein set the best time in the second run and finished sixth.(Bild: Peter Weihs/Kronenzeitung)

Ex-speed ace and ex-ski crosser Fredi Berthold showed that he has forgotten (almost) nothing...(Bild: Peter Weihs/Kronenzeitung)

... and was able to celebrate victory in age group I.(Bild: Peter Weihs/Kronenzeitung)

Hot slalom duel awaits
Patrick Feurstein from Mellau "overslept" run one a little, but improved to sixth place overall with the best time in the final. Ex-ski crosser Frederic Berthold, on the other hand, was able to celebrate: he won age group I with aplomb. Both will also try their hand at the slalom on Thursday - where Olympic silver medal winner Johannes Strolz will also be competing.