Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

High Endurance Skiing Championship Continues in Aspen

Aired December 10, 2001 - 06:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we can only hope the forecast for snow over Aspen, Colorado, looked like it was going to be snowing there, calls for great skiing weather because on the slopes this week a competition spectators can watch any hour of the day or night. CNN News Source Correspondent Gina London is lucky enough to be there. Gina, I hope you're standing on a pair of skis getting ready to go.

GINA LONDON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know I'm not because these men and women have been at it for 16 hours already Carol, if you can imagine -- a little sort of an Olympic preview, perhaps, today. This has international appeal. There are seven countries right now and as I said they've been going at it for 16 hours already, two and a half mile long laps and they expect to go at it for another eight hours. That's why it's the 24-hours of Aspen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two -- one team Germany.

LONDON: They're off -- one two-member at a time. The world championship of endurance skiing, speeding all the way from the top to the bottom of Aspen Mountain, more than 3200 vertical feet over and over and over again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's different, and for us it's like just a regular downhill race, then you feel oh, it's two, three, four, five downhill race.

LONDON: Lap after lap, from day to night and back again. The Swiss won the men's division last year, completing 72 laps over 24 hours.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's difficult to stay focused physically, mentally, emotionally. The body just wants to shut down.

LONDON: Racers only break, the 14-minute gondola ride up the slope.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're going to be able to, you know, really enjoy it, and take advantage of those 14 minutes so that you can mentally focus for the rest of the race.

LONDON: And they got to get right back at it once they're out. Proceeds from the race go to help the disabled and disadvantaged this year in addition to the spirit of charity and especially strong spirit of patriotism.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the scheme of this whole event this year is red, white and blue, very patriotic. That's our scheme. We're red, white and blue. We brought flags. We've got American chick (ph) stickers with the flag on them. We've got red, white and blue Mardi Gras beads. We want to inspire people.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LONDON: And now back here at the bottom of the slope of the mountain, it is inspirational Carol, because as you mentioned, there are volunteers; there are fans who have been here all night long, ski techs working on the skis, really helping out these skiers who are doing quite a grueling event. Now, also a little additional bit of inspiration -- this year a new charity was added to the list, that is the American Fund for Afghan Children.

Reporting live in Aspen, Colorado, Gina London -- Carol.

LIN: Gina, a great cause indeed. You know, I've got to wonder, as anybody who skis knows, that the chances of injury come when you get really tired. So, how dangerous is it for these guys to keep going and going and going?

LONDON: Well, we've talked to some of the World Cup athletes. Actually, there are all sorts of caliber of athletes that are here and one of the men said that this is like a downhill race, but this number of laps, 70-some laps, over the course of 24 hours is actually more than many pro downhill skiers will ever see in one season right now in one day here Carol. It really is truly grueling. They've trained for months. They're going in a tuck for two and a half minutes over and over again. It ends up being about three hours of total skiing.

LIN: Right. It doesn't make an hour in the gym sound so bad after all, huh Gina? All right.

LONDON: Absolutely. Stamina is the key word.

LIN: Happy trails. Stay safe and warm.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com