Vail to host 2015 Nations Team Event

After several months of back-and-forth discussion and brainstorming, the citizens of Vail, Colo. got what they wanted – the opportunity to host a World Championship ski race.

Officials from the 2015 Vail/Beaver Creek Alpine World Championships organizing committee met early this week with FIS representatives Guenter Hujara and Helmuth Schmalzl to finalize venue plans. Hujara, the director of the men’s World Cup  and Schmalz, FIS race director, gave their approval for Vail’s Golden Peak to host the Nations Team event, a head-to-head parallel event between both genders.    

“Golden Peak will be a great venue for the Nations Team event during the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships,” said Hujara. “The spectators will be able to see the entire course from the finish and it will be a fantastic promotion for the sport.”

All 10 individual men’s and women’s medal competitions will be held down the road at Beaver Creek, finishing in the Birds of Prey World Cup arena. Vail, slated as the home of the women’s technical events during the bid process, was ruled out as the site of any individual events when the costs associated with moving a lift exceeded the event’s budget.

The decision is a result of consultation with the Vail Town Council, European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Tridem Sports, along with the FIS.
    
“We are pleased to be able to finalize our competition venues with this decision,” said Ceil Folz, President of the Vail Valley Foundation and President of the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Organizing Committee. “Vail has been a major force in ski racing since opening its doors to the world and it is only fitting that they continue that role in 2015.”
    
The Nations Team event features a parallel giant slalom format, with four-person national teams, comprised of two men and two women.  The winning teams advance through a bracket format, with the final four nations battling for the gold, silver and bronze World Championship medals.

“Vail has a long and proud legacy in ski racing dating back to the first season of the FIS World Cup,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Bill Marolt, who is also a vice president of the FIS. “The Team Event has proven to be very popular with spectators and television showcasing the stars of each nation in a head-to-head format.”
   
In addition to the Nations Team event, Golden Peak will also be the site of the men’s Slalom and Giant Slalom qualification races, as well as the World Championships Opening Ceremonies and nightly entertainment.
    
“Golden Peak is a terrific venue for the Nations Team event,” said Folz.  “The hill is perfect for a dual Giant Slalom and we can easily adapt the current Opening Ceremonies stadium plan and broadcast configuration to accommodate the racing.  In addition, Golden Peak will be a great venue for spectators, no matter whether it is for competition or celebration.”

Click here to see a video of the announcement.