Insul, Germany- Qualifying for the Insul Cup got underway today under overcast conditions. Rain had been predicted all week so everyone was elated to be riding in the dry. The big story of the day was the complete breakdown of radio communications.
The organizers have rented a top of the line system complete with repeaters but there were big technical problems making it nearly impossible for the course workers and also timing and scoring to communicate. This resulted in big delays and a long day for everyone.
Patrick Switzer was the first skater down the hill in qualifying and set a blistering 2:24.824. He then sat down and watched 133 others try to beat him. Martin Siegrist came the closest with a time 2:25.927. Andrew Chapman was third posting a time of 2:26.234. Local Boris Shinke was fourth with a 2:27.501. Maryhill winner Ramon Konigshausen rounded out the top five with a 2:27.546.
Insul Cup
Run #1 Qualifying Leaders
1. Patrick Switzer, CAN 2:24.824
2. Martin Siegrist, SUI. 2:25.234
3. Andrew Chapman, CAN. 2:26.234
4. Boris Shinke, GER. 2:27.501
5. Ramon Konigshausen, SUI 2:27.546
6. Alex Tongue, USA. 2:27.645
7. Stefan Rufli, SUI. 2:27.819
8. Sebastian Hertler, GER. 2:28.317
9. Bruno Fuchs, SUI. 2:28.931
10. Nicolas Robert, SUI. 2:28.955
