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01. 03. 10. - 11:00

Austria finish Vancouver Olympics in top ten

The Austrian Olympic team can look back with satisfaction at the Vancouver Games, with the country finishing in the top ten of winners.

Austria ranks in ninth with four gold, six silver and six bronze medals.

Austria also takes joint first place with Russia, finishing in fourth in 86 events.

But the team’s biggest disappointment is the bad performance of the men’s Alpine skiing team who failed to reach the podium.

The Austrian Skiing Federation (ÖSV) invests more money than any other body into its World Cup Alpine skiing team and the infrastructure built up around it.

It was the first time Austria’s male skiing team failed to win any silverware at the Olympic Games with the exception of the 1936 event when Austria’s skiers were banned for breaching the amateur state rules against working as ski instructors.

Benjamin Raich, who won gold in the 2006 Olympic slalom and giant slalom, said after finishing fourth in Saturday’s slalom, "The whole team is extremely disappointed, of course."

ÖSV president Peter Schröcksnadel claimed: "Everyone who says our system is wrecked is wrong. What are you supposed to do if so many athletes finish in fourth?"

Schröcksnadel dismissed calls coaches must be replaced. He however said he was considering a change to certain structures. It is expected that the skiing training group system will be restructured.

Austrian Times

Set up tax on financial transactions soon, says Katzian
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Schlecker says Austrian jobs are safe
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SPÖ sees smaller parliament as key signal
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Austrian food to feature in organic trade fair
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Brothel for the homeless in Vienna
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Deep-freeze snacks for orangutans in Schönbrunn
The lucky orangutans who take up residence in Europe’s oldest zoo have been indulging in a twice weekly take-away. Despite the trees in Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria now being completely bare the fury friends have fresh branches and leaves delivered twice a week.