Preparations for 2015 Alpine World Championships ramping up in Vail

By Published On: May 3rd, 2012Comments Off on Preparations for 2015 Alpine World Championships ramping up in Vail

Preparations for the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek, Colo. are well underway as officials from the FIS, the Vail Valley Foundation, Tridem Sports, EBU, Vail Resorts and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association wrapped up two days of Coordination Committee meetings Wednesday (May 2) in Vail.

Officials visited each venue, including both the Birds of Prey and Golden Peak finish areas, as well as operational and ceremony sites.

Coordination Committee meetings are held with World Championship organizers twice a year. The group last met in December during the Audi Birds of Prey World Cup in Beaver Creek.

Event organizers gave a detailed tour of the Birds of Prey finish area, outlining proposed plans for upgrades to the existing finish stadium and creation of a new women’s downhill course. Pending final approval from the U.S. Forest Service, work on those projects is anticipated to begin soon.

“We have a terrific team in place, both in terms of our internal 2015 Organizing Committee and our partners from the FIS, EBU, Tridem and USSA,” said Vail Valley Foundation President Ceil Folz. “We are pleased to say that everything is on track as we near 1,000 days to go until the Championships.”

FIS officials were especially excited about the opportunities presented by Vail’s Golden Peak venue that will play host to the opening ceremony, qualifying events and the Nation’s Team Event. Officials also visited the proposed medals venue at the Solaris Plaza in Vail Village.

“This is a terrific process to work directly with organizers and to have everyone around the table providing value,” said FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis. “The ability to have all parties working together allows us all to uphold the value of the World Championships as the premier event outside the Olympics. The fact that Vail Resorts leadership is here with the organizing committee is a big help in this process.”

While most of the competition events will be held in Beaver Creek, it is anticipated that Vail will become the epicenter for fans, with key events at Golden Peak and daily medal ceremonies located in the heart of Vail Village.

The Vail/Beaver Creek World Championships are set for Feb. 3-15, 2015. FIS will meet again with organizers this fall. The 2013 Alpine World Championships are set to take place next February in Schaldming, Austria.

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About the Author: Eric Williams