While on the subject of Austria there may be some interest in the
subject of snow, and the forthcoming season. The Salzburgland area
has had some spectacular snow for the time of year - causing chaos
on the Tauern Pass near Obertauern, and all the high level Alms for
cattle. Snow tyres, and chains required in September! Hopefully this
means a good season, however, a word of caution we had early season
snow in November last year, and it didn't mean much. Nevertheless,
we live in hope. Currently looking at the snow on the hills
(mountains) opposite the house, and already dusting skis of for an
early season start.

Jimd

--- In nordicscotland@..., "Peter Thorn" <peter@...>
wrote:
>
> Mike,
>
> That was my understanding of the situation. I didn't mean to imply
> that Sachenbacher, or any other of the athletes who received a
short
> ban at Turin were guilty of blood doping. The fasterskier article
> gives that impression & this is incorrect.
>
> Jim, thanks for reminding me about the Austrian team outcome. I
> remember now, I had just forgotten about it.
>
> The sad fact is that drugs in sport is very prevalent & we are
> getting to a situation where you think that any winner is a cheat.
>
> Peter.
>
> --- In nordicscotland@..., "michael_drmn" <mike@>
> wrote:
> >
> > I think its just jumping to the conclusion that the high
haemoglobin
> > was due to blood doping, which is a fairly reasonable assumption
to
> make.
> >
> > Its only a short ban because they can't prove that blood doping
was
> > undertaken, but its incredibly unlikely that anyone would have
that
> > high a concentration legitimately.
> >
> > Anyone with better knowledge of these things, feel free to
> contradict me.
> >
> > Mike
> >
> > --- In nordicscotland@..., "Peter Thorn" <peter@>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > I was a bit confused by the article as it says that Evi
> Sachenbacher
> > > was caught for doping at the Turin Olympics. I just thought
she
> was one
> > > of several athletes given s short 5 day ban because their
> hemoglobin
> > > levels were too high. I haven't heard that she was caught
doping
> since
> > > then. However if what the article says is true then it casts a
> big
> > > cloud over the whole German team. Like you I hope it isn't
true.
> > >
> > > I never heard the outcome of what happened to the Austria team
> after
> > > they got raided by the italian police at Turin. My sources say
> their
> > > team quarters resembled a clinical laboratory.
> > >
> > > All very sad, it is the sort of thing that will drive people
away
> from
> > > sport if they believe that most athletes are cheating.
> > >
> > > Peter.
> > >
> >
>