World Championships return to USA

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The FIS World Alpine Ski Championships are returning to North America in 2015.

Shortly after noon today (Thursday June 3) EDT, the International Ski Federation (FIS) accepted the bid of the Vail/Beaver Creek organizing committee and the U.S. site will host the 2015 World Championships. It is the third time Vail has hosted the “Worlds” and the first time in this century.

The successful bid was the third consecutive bid Vail/Beaver Creek had presented to the FIS and the organization was up against two other previous hosts, Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy and St Moritz, Switzerland. Cortina last hosted in 1932 and St Moritz hosted in 1934, 1974 and 2003.

Vail has previously hosted the premier world ski event in 1989 and 1999.

Vail won on the first ballot with eight votes. Cortina received four and St Moritz three.

In addition, Falun, Swden won the bid to host the FIS Nordic World Championships. The Freestyle/Snowboard championships went to Kreischberg, Austria, the lone applicant. The 2014 World Ski Flying championships were awarded to Harrachov, Cezch Republic, also the line candidate.

There was no denying the relief and joy among the representatives in Turkey awaiting the announcement. Several dissolved into tears when the result of the vote was announced.

“Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts are honored to be selected as the hosts for the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships by the International Ski Federation,” said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. “Our resorts and the Vail Valley have demonstrated a meaningful commitment to the sport of ski racing producing the best competitions in the world. We are thrilled to focus international attention on our iconic slopes and community during the winter of 2015. We are especially appreciative of the efforts put forth by Ceil Folz and the Vail Valley Foundation in securing this nomination and we are thankful to the delegates who cast their votes in favor of bringing the 2015 Championships to Vail and Beaver Creek.”

U.S. Ski Team CEO Bill Marolt said, “Our Championship bid has been the result of a strong partnership between the USSA, Vail Resorts and the Vail Valley Foundation. I commend Ceil Foltz of the Vail Valley Foundation and John Garnsey of Vail Resorts for their work, and especially thank our own Trustees who served on the bid committee including Hank Tauber, Harry Frampton, Erik Borgen and Dexter Paine.”

US Ski Team photo of Beaver Creek/Vail bid committee reaction to the announcement by Tom Kelly. Pictured are Ceil Foltz and John Garnsey.