RASCHAU/OBERWIESENTHAL, 19 August 2013 – Over the past weeks, an inrun of 96 metres was installed, a total amount of almost 65 modules manufactured by the company Peter Riedel were assembled to those tubes in which the ski jumpers will pick up speed henceforward on the Fichtelberg ski jump in Oberwiesenthal. “Up to eight persons at once worked in the manufacture and production in our centre of excellence in Raschau and on the jump in Oberwiesenthal”, explains Peter Riedel and with a sign of relief, he adds: “We already knew it indeed, but now it’s official – we won the race against time.” After all, the company had and still has many other tasks to fulfil: the work for ski jumps in Japan for example or the insertion of the porcelain nubs on the Olympic ski jump in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (by the way, in Bavaria, this new technology is particularly appreciated amongst the athletes!)

However, Peter Riedel‘s main focus this summer is on the jump facility of his hometown. In a few days, on 24 and 25 August, the world’s best Nordic combined skiers meet up in Saxony and open the Summer Grand Prix. On this occasion, the Fichtelberg ski jump presents itself in a new light. “During the last months, the ski jump was completely modernised”, explains Peter Riedel. The “Double Track System” enables the jumpers to start from one track in both summer and winter. A data measurement system which was developed by Riedel in collaboration with international partners from Austria and Switzerland will also be installed.

The FIS Race Director Lasse Ottesen will arrive in Oberwiesenthal already on Thursday. Like many other people, he will be enthusiastic about the work in Oberwiesenthal. “But the feedback of the athletes is equally important to us”, says Riedel. “They are the protagonists of the sport; our aim is to make them feel comfortable on our tracks and to let them know that they can practise their sport under fair and safe conditions!” Riedel is convinced of the success of the Summer Grand Prix – this is what he is especially committed to. After all, he is not only involved in the ski jump construction, but also acts as sponsor.