Hi Folks,

I thank you with all my heart for the great emphasise, cheering, and for keeping your fingers crossed. It was an incredible day that began with pouring rain and ended with the bright lights shining in my silver medal. But this time I didn't have such a good feeling as I'm used to. That should change soon, however. I can not remember a race, where I left top riders, like Bozzetto, about one seconds behind in one run. It was a great feeling to be so safe on the board, because due to the bad view it was nearly impossible to see the strokes. So you only noticed them when the board began to rumble under your feet.

After the race everything happened so quickly, I was passed around to a bunch of journalists, until finally only the three medalists were allowed to be in the finish, waiting to step onto the podium.

For us alpine snowboarders only one day is reserved in four years at the Olympic Games. Making the best out of it is surely neccessary. I am very proud to have achieved my ultimate goal. Certainly I was not alone and without my Mum, who has supported me for all these years a 1000%, wouldn't run anything. I owe her the most!

But thanks also to the Army, because of their decision in 2005 to support me, I wouldn't have been able to even start my career.
Thanks to the Red Bull family that stands behind me like a rock! 
Thanks to the Uniqua-Insurance, my partner, who has bolstered me since adolescence! 
Thanks to my wonderful home country of Austria and Lower Austria!
Thanks to SG Snowboards, without whose great boards, I could not have achieved such success stories as well!
Thanks to all my fans, friends and thumb-pushers, you give me energy for my success!

Thanks to the wonderful and important people who have accompanied me on my career. Those, who I think, can be just as proud as I am that I can call you as friends.

A special thanks to my entire family, which has indeed with Nina "slightly enlarged" and assisted me in all possible means. Thanks "my little angel" that you are as you are!

Heartfelt thanks my friends,
but now it's enough gratitudiation. On to new achievements and new challenges. I need your support for a long time (-:

THANK YOU,

Benny

At 9 o' clock in the morning, our flight was sheduled from L.A. to Vancouver. As soon as I found my feet there, I was overcome with an incredible feeling of joy and serenity. It's nice to be allowed to be here and and soon start at the race which my whole life is adjusted by. Nevertheless, I am very calm and quiet, it's basically just a "farmer derby" (-:

The Olympic Village is just great. We live in the six-storied high-rise buildings, where each house is occupied by another nation. We are located in Building M, with a direct view at the harbor. In the giant tent, which is set up in our food facility, there is even a McDonalds - and all for free. (For some, perhaps, the heaven on earth, for us athletes an exercise of restraint .... puhhhh (-:

Tomorrow we have our first training in Cypress. I'm already looking forward to the snow and the snow conditions. But no matter how good or bad the condition of the slope turns out to be, I'll get everything out of me, and let the enormous fun that I have while snowboarding simply spray!

Bye for now,

Benny

Hi Folks,

After three very informative training days in the North American Austrian Ski Training Center in Sun Peaks, we've gone to Los Angeles for two days now.
Andy and I borrowed a Harley Davidson today, and indeed a Heritage Softtail with 370kg. Quite nervous we got on our machines, after the dealer explained everythings to us very detailed. We were pretty cowed by the heavy thing, since my own motorcycle, a KTM Duke 690, currently keeps hibernate in her garage, weights 150kg. But as we went off promptly at 9 clock, I quickly realized that my concerns were completely wrong.

I drove whopping 150 miles on country roads and highways, but mostly on coastal and mountain roads in the unexpectedly beautiful landscape around LA. Sitting on the Harley, I saw Venice Beach, Santa Monica and Malibu, where I unsuccessfully kept my eyes peeled for Pamela Anderson (-: The photos will be posted here as quickly as possible - really worth seeing!

See you soon, back at the serious side of life (-:

Benny

Tomorrow it's the day - finally. The trip to Canada and thus begins the adventure of the Olympics. At 6 o' clock in the morning my flight via Vienna-Calgary-Kamloops and an hour's drive takes me to my first destination, Sun Peaks. There, we will have training for three days, away from the Olympic bustle! Between the training at Sun Peaks and Vancouver is still time for a little trip to the West Coast of the United States, and indeed to LA. There, Andy Prommegger and I will borrow a Harley to dangle the soul for two days, before joining the Olympic Village and thus the end of the unlimited possibilities (-:

I report as soon as possible from Canada to keep you always up-to-date!

Best wishes,
Benny

Hi Folks,

with a bad feeling at the beginning, but a great result at the end of today, I am able to end my day. Also in Germany, Andi Prommegger and I could make out an Austrian double victory. In the Finals, I drove against Andy and was 0.23 seconds behind in the first run, and I already catched up in the Rerun, untill a mistake 5 goals before finish stopped me and I fell. The weather there was not quite as good as the last few years. Sleet, wind and fog caused us trouble, but many helpers prepared a very good slope for these conditions. But at Sudelfeld, we reckon on bad weather every year...!

I'm looking forward to Olympia, the whole journey, the mood and also the race!

On Febuary, 15 we are going to fly, first to Sun Peaks for three days outside the Olympic Training stress. Afterwards we go for two days to San Francisco, where Andy and I want to rent a motorcycle and explore the beautiful country and city.

Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed, my friends!

Dear regards, Benny