Worlds: 2009 Championships kick-off in Val d'Isere

A high-flying drum corps suspended from a two hundred foot crane was the highlight of the 2009 alpine World Championship opening ceremonies as Val d’Isere welcomed an estimated 500 athletes from 73 nations. “These are very high numbers which makes us very proud,” said Gian Franco Kasper, FIS president.

Fireworks and royalty were part of the show as were the traditional alp horns, but the suspended drum group brought the most applause

Welcoming addresses were given by both Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, the Health, Youth and Sport Minister of France and Kasper. Members of the Are organizing committee presented Val d’Isere with the FIS banner which had flown over the successful, but cold, 2007 championships.

The championships were last held in France 47 years ago when Chamonix was the host resort.

A high-flying drum corps suspended from a two hundred foot crane was the highlight of the 2009 alpine World Championship opening ceremonies as Val d’Isere welcomed an estimated 500 athletes from 73 nations. “These are very high numbers which makes us very proud,” said Gian Franco Kasper, FIS president.

Fireworks and royalty were part of the show as were the traditional alp horns, but the suspended drum group brought the most applause

Welcoming addresses were given by both Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, the Health, Youth and Sport Minister of France and Kasper. Members of the Are organizing committee presented Val d’Isere with the FIS banner which had flown over the successful, but cold, 2007 championships.

The championships were last held in France 47 years ago when Chamonix was the host resort.

The title races start with the women’s super G tomorrow.

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