Sponsorship plunges downhill for ski racers

By Astrid Wendlandt

VAL D'ISERE (Reuters) - Lindsey Vonn, winner of this week's super-G competition at the Alpine world skiing championships, is one of the few racers who do not have to worry about sponsorship in the current economic crisis.

Vonn flew into Geneva from Austria on her sponsor Red Bull's private jet before being driven to the French skiing resort of Val D'Isere. The energy drink company also provides her with a physical trainer.

"I am so lucky," she told Reuters. "I just signed with Red Bull for another three years so I am all set.

"But I know some other girls are suffering, all those who are below five to 10th ranking find it more difficult today to find sponsors."

Vonn, who won gold in the super-G Tuesday, clocked the best time in Friday's downhill but was disqualified from the super-combined race after missing a gate in the afternoon slalom.

Sponsorships are becoming increasingly difficult to win these days as corporate supporters tighten their belts and scrutinize every expense.

"In the current environment we look even more closely at every euro invested in ski sponsorships," said a spokesman for German chocolate brand Milka, which has been one of the biggest supporters of skiing events for more than a decade and currently backs six racers.

Unlike Formula One drivers and tennis players, skiers belong to a non-profit organization, the International Ski Federation (FIS), which limits their sponsorships opportunities, often centered on sportsgear.

Some national federations belonging to the FIS have bigger budgets than others.

The French Ski Federation (FFS), for example, has a smaller budget than the German or the Austrian federations.

The only private space skiers are allowed for sponsorship is on their foreheads, for example on helmets or hats.

Many skiers also receive support from ski makers but their budgets have been cut as well and some racers now have to buy their own skis.

BROKEN PROMISE

Several racers said some sponsorships promised last year never materialized because of the economic slump.

"Early in the winter, some Hungarian banks said they would provide us with some cars to travel to the races but they then changed their minds because of the crisis," said Anna Berecz of the Hungarian team who came 34th in Tuesday's Super-G race.