After a nine-hour flight and two-hour drive, we arrived in Königssee, Germany today for the first stop on the Europa Cup circuit. While I do have in my collection a 6th-place trophy on this track from last season, this is actually my first time here, since the stop last year was cancelled because of some complications on the World Cup tour.

This afternoon we headed over to the track to get a peak at our competition venue and at first glance, there seems to be something missing.

Like, oh, I don't know ... maybe A SHORT WALL TO KEEP YOU IN THE TRACK?!?

Let me tell you, there is something slightly disconcerting about the idea that there is nothing but common sense seperating me (traveling at 60 or 70 clicks) from the general public.

Here's to hoping that Germans have sounder judgment than North Americans ...