VAIL VALLEY PURSUES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS THREE-PEAT WITH 2013 BID
If the third time is indeed the charm, then Vail and Beaver Creek will look to put their most charming foot forward this coming May when the International Ski Federation (FIS) votes on the site of the 2013 World Alpine Ski Championships.
Hosts to the 1989 and 1999 World Championships, the Vail Valley was selected by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) to represent the United States in this campaign effort that will pit the resorts against a trio of tough competitors, including Schladming, Austria; St. Moritz, Switzerland and Cortina, Italy.
"Vail/Beaver Creek is unmatched, not just in North America, but throughout the ski world for its history of outstanding major events," offered Bill Marolt, CEO the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association. "Year in and year out, they have proven to host the highest quality of events. This is a very strong candidacy for 2013 from a proven organizing committee."
The Vail Valley was unsuccessful in their most recent World Championships attempt for the 2009 event, an ambitious plan that called for Vail and Beaver Creek to serve as the sites of a unique triple bid that would have included Alpine, Freestyle and Snowboard Championships. The Vail Valley Foundation did not throw their hat in the ring for the 2011 World Championships, but decided the time was right for 2013.
“Our board of directors feels strongly that this valley needs to continue to be at the forefront of international athletic competition,” explained Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. “We all feel that now is the right time to get back into the World Championships game.”
The bid plan calls for competitions in both Beaver Creek and Vail, with Championship festivities throughout the valley. A 2013 World Championships would also showcase the more than $2 billion renovation currently underway in the Vail Valley, while also capitalizing on a newly-created concept dubbed “Engaging New Worlds,” a focused effort to grow the sport of skiing and ski racing in North America.
“The ski industry as a whole needs to identify the next generation of skiers and snowboarders,” Folz continued. “Using the World Championships as the vehicle, we intend to promote skiing through the Championships, and the Championships through skiing.”
The sport’s premier event has not been held in North America since the Vail Valley played host to the 1999 World Alpine Ski Championships, making stops in Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Sweden from 2001 to 2007. The 2009 Championships are slated for Val d’Isere, France, while the 2011 Worlds are headed for Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
The vote for the 2013 World Alpine Ski Championships takes place May 29, 2008 at the FIS Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. The 17 members of the FIS Council will cast their ballots, following formal presentations from each of the candidates.
“Having not been a candidate for 2011,” Folz concluded, “we have some ground to make up on the rest of the field. “However, I think that our legacy of 1989 and 1999 will serve us well, in addition to the many friends we have made around the world through these Championships and our annual World Cup events.”
Proposed 2013 Racing Venues:
Proposed Vail Venue Locations
Proposed Beaver Creek Venue Locations
Vail International Men's & Women's Technical Venue
Beaver Creek Men's & Women's Speed Venue
