Oslo names female Havnelid to 2011 helm

Åsne Havnelid has been appointed chief executive officer of VM 2011 AS, the organization in charge of the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Oslo, Norway.

OSLO, Norway — Åsne Havnelid has been appointed chief executive officer of VM 2011 AS, the organization in charge of the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Oslo, Norway. She was selected by the board of VM 2011 AS, led by Svein Aaser, from among more than 50 applicants on the basis of her substantial leadership experience both in sport and business. Havenlid is the first Norwegian female to lead the preparations for such a large event as the FIS World Ski Championships.
    A native of Baerum, Havnelid, 46, sees the championships at Holmenkollen as a great opportunity to inspire especially the children and the youth about skiing and bring about a true people's festival. She also stressed the importance she places on teamwork in the successful management of such a large event. The responsibility for organizing the Oslo 2011 event is shared by the city of Oslo for infrastructure and the Norwegian Ski Association and the Organization for the Promotion of Skiing (Skiforeningen).
    Havnelid will start in her new role on Sept. 1.