Editor's Note: It is interesting to see European cities use major Nordic events as a means of improvement and development.
Oberstdorf hosted the FIS Inspection Group on August 20th and 21st. Following the 1987 and 2005 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, the German mountain and ski resort is bidding to organize its third championships. The 2013 candidacy is part of the local tourism concept that calls for Oberstdorf “to be one of the three leading venues in Nordic ski sports in the Alps by 2015.†Oberstdorf will also host its fifth FIS Ski Flying World Championships in February 2008.
As elaborated by the Candidature Committee led by Alfons Hörmann, President of the German Ski Association and Thomas Müller, Mayor of Oberstdorf, the 2013 concept takes advantage of the existing high-quality sports infrastructure which only requires some optimization work on the Ski Jumping venue and some extensions to, and broadening of, the Cross-Country courses, along with enhancements to the snow-making facilities. The newly reconstructed park in the center of Oberstdorf is planned as the new location for winner ceremonies and the Nordic festival.
For more information on Oberstdorf’s candidature, please visit www.oberstdorf2013.com.
The FIS Inspection Group next visited Val di Fiemme, the venue for the 2003 and 1991 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships and 63 FIS World Cup events. It was hosted by Pietro de Godenz, President of Candidature Executive Committee, along with Tiziano Mellarini, Minister for Tourism in the region of Trentino, and Giovanni Morzenti, President of the Italian Ski Association.
As in 2001, the 2013 concept is based on the use of the Lago di Tesero Cross-Country stadium and the Predazzo Ski Jumping facilities. Enhancements to the existing structures, including new areas for athlete services, as well as the media infrastructure, are planned. The 2013 candidacy leverages the experience of the previous World Championships, and the Candidature Committee is pleased to be able to count on the help of more than 1,000 local volunteers. New tourist developments are under development in the Tesero cross-country area and Predazzo ski Jumping area, which will also enhance the facilities for the championships. This is Val di Fiemme’s second consecutive candidature after 2006.
For more information on Val di Fiemme’s candidature, please visit www.fiemme2013.com.
Zakopane, the largest sports resort in Poland, hosted the FIS Inspection Group on the 22nd and 23rd of August, just days before the 2007 FIS Grand Prix Ski Jumping events held there. The Candidature Committee led by President Janusz Majcher, Mayor of Zakopane, was supported by Apoloniusz Tajner, President of the Polish Ski Association, and Andrzej Kozak, President of the Tatra Ski Association. The 2013 Candidature of Zakopane is part of the general “Strategy for Balanced Development of the City of Zakopane for 2004-2013†which also includes the development of sport and tourism and consists of upgrades to the existing facilities and organization of large sporting events. As a result, many new facilities, including some for accommodation, transportation and other services, have been, or are being built. New cross-country courses are also being constructed while the existing normal hill will be converted to a HS-105 hill. Moreover, Zakopane will serve as a host training center for a team during the European Football Championships in Poland and the Ukraine in 2012 which will contribute to additional upgrading of the sporting facilities and infrastructure.
In addition to the 1962 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Zakopane has experience hosting numerous international competitions in Nordic skiing. These include 11 Ski Jumping FIS World Cup events, known worldwide for a great atmosphere and large crowds, and 4 Nordic Combined events. This is Zakopane’s second consecutive candidature following a bid in 2006.
For more information on Zakopane’s candidature, please visit www.zakopane.eu.
