Schladming to Host 2013 Worlds
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CAPE TOWN, South Africa
– The road to a third World Alpine Ski Championships for the Beaver Creek/Vail came to an end May 29 in Cape Town as the International Ski Federation (FIS) Council voted to award the 2013 Championships to Schladming, Austria. The Colorado resort last held the Championships in 1999.
“While it is certainly disappointing to have not been able to bring home the 2013 Championships,” explained Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. “We knew from the outset that Schladming was a strong front runner with great momentum. We congratulate Austria on its victory. We will now regroup and focus on creating our campaign for the 2015 Championships.”
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) announced just a year ago that Beaver Creek/Vail would represent the United States in the bid process. Beaver Creek/Vail, which hosted the World Championships in 1989 and 1999, is considered to be a legacy venue on the World Cup circuit and one of the best international competition sites.
Vail, which was part of the first World Cup season in 1967, along with Beaver Creek have been long standing hosts of World Cup events known for challenging terrain and exciting racing.
The candidacy focused on the resort’s world-class facilities and experience, but also an innovative new program that captured the attention of the FIS leadership. Beaver Creek/Vail promoted a marketing concept, “Engaging New Worlds,” designed to introduce new participants to the sport. It was timely, coming during the introduction of a similar global program from the FIS, “Bring Children to the Snow.”
The three rounds of voting were conducted via secret ballot by the 16 members of the FIS Council.
“Congratulations to Austria on its selection. Our U.S. Ski Team athletes look forward competing in Schladming, where we have a great history of success,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Bill Marolt. “Together with Beaver Creek/Vail, our focus will now turn to 2015 when we hope that the FIS will choose to come to America to showcase the sport in its largest global marketplace for the first time in 16 years. We’re enthusiastic about working with our strong partner, the Vail Valley Foundation, to welcome the world in 2015, just a year after what we anticipate will be a stunning Olympics in Sochi.”
“We want to thank everyone throughout the Vail Valley community that supported us in this bid process,” concluded Harry Frampton, chairman of the Vail Valley Foundation. “This is not the end, but the continuation of a new and exciting journey for all of us.”
The selections for the World Championship sites are as follows:
2012 FIS Ski Flying World Championships: Vikersund (NOR)
2013 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships: Schladming (AUT)
2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships: Val di Fiemme (ITA)
2013 FIS Freestyle World Championships: Voss (NOR)
2013 FIS Snowboard World Championships: Stoneham (CAN)