Five more days until NK Summer Grand Prix! The race against time is won: Now ‘Double-Track’ lies on Fichtelbergschanze

RASCHAU/OBERWIESENTHAL, August 19, 2013 – 96 meters of approach track have been laid in recent weeks, almost 65 building blocks from Peter Riedel’s company assembled into tubes through which skiers will gain speed here in Oberwiesenthal on the Fichtelberg hill. ‘Up to eight people were involved in production and manufacturing at our competence center in Raschau and at the hill in Oberwiesenthal,’ explains Peter Riedel, who breathes a sigh of relief: ‘We knew it, but now it is official – the race against time is won.’ After all, other commitments were ongoing as well: work on hills in Japan, for example, or installing porcelain studs on the Olympic hill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (this new technology is particularly appreciated by the athletes in Bavaria!).

But Peter Riedel’s focus this summer 2013 is especially on developing his hometown. In a few days, on August 24 and 25, the world’s best Nordic combined skiers will gather in Saxony to open the Summer Grand Prix. The Fichtelberg hill presents itself with a new look. ‘In recent months, extensive modernization work has been completed,’ explains Peter Riedel. The ‘double-track system’ enables approach in summer as well as winter on its own lane, and a data measurement system is being installed, developed by Riedel with international partners from Austria and Switzerland himself.

Already on Thursday, FIS Race Director Lasse Ottesen is expected in Oberwiesenthal. He will be, like many others, impressed by the work in Oberwiesenthal. ‘Equally important to us is the athletes’ feedback,’ says Riedel. ‘They are the protagonists of the sport; they should feel comfortable on our tracks and know that they will find fair and safe conditions!’ Riedel is convinced the Summer Grand Prix will be a success, and he is especially committed to it. After all, he is involved not only in hill construction but also acts as a sponsor.