Avon, CO – Construction began Monday on the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships women’s downhill at Beaver Creek ski resort in Colorado.
“This is a day we’ve looked forward to ever since a new speed course for the ladies became part of our bid to secure the Championships,” said Ceil Folz, President of the Vail Valley Foundation and 2015 World Championships Organizing Committee.
The new track will feature similar terrain to the legendary Birds of Prey World Cup men’s downhill and will host to women’s downhill, combined downhill and super G during the Feb. 3-15, 2015 World Championships.
“The new women’s downhill for the 2015 World Championships at Vail/Beaver Creek will be a showcase for athletes like Olympic champions Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso, just as Birds of Prey has been for our U.S. Ski Team men like Bode Miller, Ted Ligety and Daron Rahlves,” said Bill Marolt, President and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA).
Vail Resorts officials received final U.S. Forest Service approval for construction May 3. The clearing of trees is slated to be completed in 18 days, while the finish reconfiguration will be finished by this coming winter and the annual Audi FIS Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week.
“Winning a super G on the men’s Birds of Prey track last winter was a huge highlight in my career,” said Lindsey Vonn, Olympic downhill gold medalist and four-time Audi FIS Alpine World Cup overall champion. “I have no doubt the new women’s downhill will be every bit as thrilling to race as the men’s hill and I fully intend to be competing for gold on my home snow in 2015.”
The course, located to skiers right to Birds of Prey, is scheduled to make its international debut Dec. 14-15, 2013 as the women’s World Cup travels to Beaver Creek for downhill and super G competitions. In addition to the women’s downhill Beaver Creek will also construct a new track on Raven Ridge, located skier’s left of Birds of Prey, to host the women’s giant slalom and slalom competitions during the Championships.
Crews will also begin the process of reconfiguring the current Red Tail finish arena, with work including re-grading the finish and moving the existing timing building to the east side of the finish area. All individual events will finish in the new Red Tail stadium.