FIS Rollerski World Cup 2008
at Lake Markkleeberg

Address by the Lord Mayor of the City of Markkleeberg

Dear sportswomen and sportsmen, friends of the Roll ski sport, dear guests,
I cordially welcome you to Markkleeberg at Leipziger Neuseenland.

After the Roll Ski World Cup was held at Lake Markkleeberg for the first time last year and has turned out to be a great success, we are now looking forward to the Roll Ski World Cup 2008 with over 150 participants from 12 countries. Skiing in the summer, on a well-prepared asphalt track, on a challenging course – this is best possible on the upper riparian circular route around Lake Markkleeberg. In addition, the winding course on different levelling offers a lot of variety and promises exciting tournaments. Insomuch the chase on speed rollers also attracts international winter sport celebrities and is good for summer competition will certainly be confirmed by the list of participants. Yet, the entries by name are not available to us, but we certainly hope for the last years’ titleholders, the celebrities of the cross-country skiing, as well as the Nordic combination, just as the Young Speed Race. Again the canoe park is competition arena, venue, supply station, camp for the athletes, press centre and start and finish of the prologue, sprint and chase. For all far-travelled guests it will be a particular pleasure that the ways to accommodation have been shortened. The ‘Seepark Auenhain’ holiday village has been completed by the beginning of the Roll Ski World Cup and provides the best overnight accommodation. A campground will also invite for camping in close proximity.

The three days of competition with a total of eight decisions until the evening hours will be of much interest for the audience. With so many sportive competitions the visitors will certainly get active themselves. The canoe park is well equipped for that purpose. To guide the inflatable dinghy over the artificial cliffs in the white water affords great fun and diversification. As the weekend is all about the “summer ski”, water ski is a suitable replenishment and a chance to ski by oneself.

Should you have a little more time after the training and the competitions to view the surrounding area, then our city and the close-by Leipzig offer a diversified cultural life. Perhaps this is an incitation to have a holiday at Lake Markkleeberg. We would be pleased to welcome you.

I wish the Roll skiers an accident-free run of the race and successful competitions. I want to cordially thank the German Ski Organisation, Ski Association of Saxony and here by name Dr. Großmann as head of the Organisation Committee and Mr. Baldeweg as head of the competitions, as well as Leipzig’s ski clubs for the organisation and realization of the Roll Ski World Cup at Lake Markkleeberg. In the same way I would like to thank all the sponsors and the volunteers, as well as the ‘EGW’ company, who made this great sport event possible.

With sporty regards,

Dr. Bernd Klose
Lord Mayor of the city of Markkleeberg