Are, Sweden Wins 2019 World Alpine Ski Championships

(ATR) Nearly five months after Stockholm dropped its bid to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the Swedish resort of Åre earned the right to stage the 2019 World Alpine Ski championships.

Åre’s victory came at the 49th International Ski Federation (FIS) congress in Barcelona. FIS Council members awarded the victory to Åre, in a tight, 9-8 vote over Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

"We knew it was going to be close and it was really close; Cortina did a really good job," said Nicholas Sjogren-Borg, director of the Are 2019 bid committee. "This is amazing, fantastic."

Åre successfully hosted the championships in 2007 and has been a regular World Cup venue since 1969.

"I think what made the difference was our ‘Good to Great’ concept," Sjogren-Borg said. "They know that Åre delivered with the winter fairy tale of 2007, and we told them that we can do it better."

Five-time Olympic medalist Alberto Tomba – who grew up skiing in the 1956 Olympic town of Cortina – was part of the Italian contingent present for the election.

"I was sure we’d win this time," Tomba said, referring to Cortina’s fourth attempt to win the championship. "They won, but it’s a strange victory. People here are crying.

"It’s difficult to look forward to 2021 (Championships), but ok, let’s go on."

Seefeld, Austria was triumphant in its bid for the 2019 World Nordic Championships ahead of runner-up Oberstdorf, Germany. Seefeld – home to the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Nordic events – won in the fourth round of voting over Oberstdorf, Germany, 9-8.

Running as an unopposed candidate, Park City, Utah, was awarded the 2019 world freestyle skiing and snowboard championships.

Ski Federation, PyeongChang Plan for 2018

International Ski Federation chief race director Guenter Hujara stepped down after last season, however the 23-year-veteran will continue to lend his expertise as an alpine technical expert for PyeongChang 2018.

"I will be dealing mostly with the Olympic Winter Games organizers in PyeongChang and potential candidates for FIS World Championships," Hujara told Ski Racing Magazine. "I will be helping them prepare for the big events they plan on hosting."

"He will lead our Olympic Games to be successful with his fantastic experience," said PyeongChang 2018 alpine sport director Kim Jun.

On Wednesday in Barcelona, Kim addressed the FIS Council and delegates, outlining progress at the future Olympic alpine venues.

Regarding the alpine speed events site in Jungbong, Kim advised that there will be a shared downhill course for both men and women and one common finish stadium for all races.

The downhill course is expected to be completed in 2015 with a men’s test event slated for February 2016. The entire venue should be finished by October 2016 with a women’s test event scheduled for the following February.

Kim said that the speed course will be equipped with lights while advising that discussions with FIS and the IOC will ensue regarding the possibility of holding night speed races for the first time at an Olympic Games.

All technical events will be contested in YongPyong, which has previously hosted four World Cup events. The venue is planned for completion by October 2015.

Due to the shared speed courses between men and women, the Olympic program is scheduled to begin with men’s speed races in Jungbong while the ladies will start with technical races in YongPyong.

Onward to Lillehammer

Norwegian alpine skier and Sochi 2014 super-G gold medalist Kjetil Jansrud has been named as an Ambassador to the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games. The announcement was made by the IOC on Thursday.

One day earlier, Lillehammer 2016 sports operations manager Kristin Lemme provided an update on the second edition of the Games to the FIS Council in Barcelona.

Lemme advised that the Winter Youth Olympic Games, February 12-21, 2016, will encompass 1,100 athletes from 70 nations, between the ages of 15-18.

Seventy gold medals will be awarded in seven sport disciplines at nine venues, all but one of which was used at the 1994 Games. The Lillehammer Curling Hall was opened in 2012.

Lemme also said the Lillehammer 2016 staff has rapidly expanded from three to 20 full-time employees.

The event's motto is "Awesome and Humble, Playful and Determined."

Thirteen sport managers – all connected to local clubs – have been hired.

Last month, IOC president Thomas Bach made his first visit to Lillehammer to tour venues and the Youth Olympic Village. Bach was accompanied by IOC Coordination Commission chair Angela Ruggiero and IOC members Gerhard Heiberg and Yang Yang.

Media Accreditation for 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships

Organizers for the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail and Beaver Creek, Colo., have advised that the media application process for next February’s event is now open with the online application form now available.

International media are reminded that a Media Visa (I Visa) is required for entry to the United States.

Returning to the U.S. for the first time since 1999, the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek, Colorado take place from February 2-15, 2015.

For further information, contact John Dakin.

Written by Brian Pinelliin Barcelona

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