Welcome back. 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 Beaver Creek/Vail 2015 bid committee celebrates the FIS Council decision (Francis Bompard/Agence Zoom)

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.

John Garnsey and Ceil Foltz express relief and excitement as the FIS Council awards Beaver Creek/Vail the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. (USSA)

"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."

SkiRacing.com
3/06/2010

Election of 2014/2015 World Championship organizers

"The FIS Council has elected..." repeated FIS President Gian Franco Kasper four times in Antalya (TUR) shortly after 7pm on Thursday, 3rd June 2010. Following the final presentations on Tuesday by the nine candidates for the 2014/2015 Championships, the FIS Council elected the organizers of the 2015 FIS Freestyle & Snowboard, Nordic and Alpine events as well as the 2014 FIS Ski Flying World Championships.

Harrachov (CZE) and Kreischberg (AUT) were unanimously elected as hosts of the 2014 FIS Ski Flying World Championships and history's first joint FIS Freestyle & Snowboard World Championships 2015, respectively.

The Nordic World Ski Championships will be hosted by Falun. The Swedish town won in a tight vote over three ballots against their competitors: Lahti (FIN), Zakopane (POL) and Oberstdorf (GER).

Beaver Creek/Vail (USA) was elected as the host of the 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships. With 8 votes, Beaver Creek/Vail achieved an absolute majority in the first ballot against Cortina d'Ampezzo (ITA, 4 votes) and St. Moritz (SUI, 3 votes).

FIS news
4/06/2010

Overview of the votes

2015 FIS Freestyle & Snowboard World Championships:
Kreischberg (AUT) - unanimous

2014 FIS Ski Flying World Championships:
Harrachov (CZE) - unanimous

2015 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships:
1st ballot:, Falun (SWE) 6, Lahti (FIN) 5, Zakopane (POL) 3, Oberstdorf (GER) 1
2nd ballot: Falun (SWE) 7, Lahti (FIN) 5, Zakopane (POL) 3
Last ballot: Falun (SWE) 8, Lahti (FIN) 7

2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships:
Beaver Creek/Vail (USA) 8, Cortina d'Ampezzo (ITA) 4, St. Moritz (SUI) 3 (one ballot)

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