Vail, CO –Plans for the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships are well underway as officials from the International Ski Federation (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 on Wednesday in Vail.
Coordination Committee meetings are held with World Championship organizers twice a year. Officials visited each venue, including both the Birds of Prey and Golden Peak finish areas at Beaver Creek and Vail Mountain, respectively, as well as operational and ceremony sites. The group last met in December during the Audi Birds of Prey World Cup in Beaver Creek.
“This is a terrific process to work directly with organizers and to have everyone around the table providing value. 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,” said Sarah Lewis, FIS Secretary General. “The fact that Vail Resorts leadership is here with the organizing committee is a big help in this process.”
“We’ve been successful with major events in our country because we work together. Each party here plays a role in the success of the World Championships,” added Bill Marolt, President and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA).
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.
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.
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 World Championships are set for Feb. 3-15, 2015. FIS will meet again with organizers this fall.
“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.”