WINTERBERG, GERMANY (November 25, 2008) — The 2008-2009 Intersport FIBT Bob and Skeleton World Cup opens this week with women’s and men’s skeleton competitions on Friday, Nov. 28.. Two-man and women’s bobsleigh are on the Hochsauerland track Saturday, November 29, with the 4-man sleds taking over on Sunday, Nov. 30.

All of the FIBT World Cup champions from last season are returning to defend their titles; Germany’s Andre Lange in 2-man and 4-man bobsleigh; Sandra Kiriasis of Germany in women’s bobsleigh; Kristan Bromley of Great Britain in men’s skeleton, and Katie Uhlaender of the USA in women’s skeleton. There will be 21 women’s bob teams, 28 two-man, and 26 four-man sleds in the competitions, with athletes from 17 nations.

There will again be extensive television coverage of FIBT races. New networks for the 2008-2009 season are British Eurosport 2 (United Kingdom) and Universal Sports (USA). The later will provide the most extensive coverage ever of bobsleigh and skeleton in the USA, starting with five hours of comprehensive coverage each week during the season. Universal Sports reaches 30 million homes in the USA market. Britoish Eurosport 2 will show live and delayed coverage of all FIBT events.

Streaming of FIBT events will continue with free access in the USA (www.universalsports.com), Canada (www.cbcsports.ca) and on the FIBT web site (www.fibt.com) for many territories across the globe.

Among the television rights holders providing bob and skeleton coverage this season will be ARD and ZDF in Germany, RTR Sport in Russia, Polsat in Poland, Enjoy TV/TVE in Spain, VIASAT in Scandinavia and the Baltics, Canal+ in France, RAI in Italy, and SSR/SRG in Switzerland. Updated broadcast information is available at www.fibt.com.

FIBT World Cup and World Championship Schedule
Nov. 28 – 30: World Cup, Winterberg, Germany
Dec. 5 – 7: World Cup, Altenburg, Germany
Dec. 12 – 14: World Cup, Igls, Austria
Dec. 19 – 21: World Cup, Cesana, Italy
Jan. 9 – 11: World Cup, Königssee, Germany
Jan. 16 – 18: World Cup & European Championship, St. Moritz, Switzerland
Feb. 5 – 7: World Cup, Whistler, Canada
Feb. 12 – 14: World Cup, Park City, USA
Feb. 20 – Mar. 1: World Championship, Lake Placid, USA