The 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships presented by Audi will get underway today, 2rd February in Vail-Beaver Creek, Colorado (USA) with FIS President Gian Franco Kasper officially opening the event this evening during the Opening Ceremony

Kasper met the media for the official opening press conference together with the President of the Local Organising Committee, Ceil Folz, USSA President Tiger Shaw, and Ingo Hannesson, on behalf of the television and marketing rights holder, the European Broadcast Union and their production unit EPC.

It is the third time that the Vail Valley has welcomed the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado. The previous editions were in 1989 and 1999.

Official FIS World Championship Website
www.fis-ski.com/vail2015/

Official Vail 2015 website
www.vailbeavercreek2015.com

“We are thrilled to be coming back to North America for the World Championships,” said Kasper. “Each edition that the Vail Valley has hosted has been bigger and better, and there is not a doubt in my mind that the next two weeks will be a fantastic celebration of Alpine ski racing both on the slopes and around the towns of Vail and Beaver Creek.”

All in all, nearly 600 athletes representing 68 nations have entered to participate in the 2015 World Championships. In total there will be 11 medal events, with 10 taking place in Beaver Creek and the Nations Team Event being staged in Vail. There will be no lack of action in Vail as all the medal ceremonies will be held in downtown Vail

Official 2015 World Championship Schedule

In addition to the Medal Ceremonies, the Local Organisers have planned a full programme of side events for the thousands of visitors travelling both from abroad and from Denver and state of Colorado.

Schedule of Social Events in Vail

Folz commented, “We are thrilled that this day has finally arrived. For the last five years we have been working towards this day and I am confident that this will be a very memorable two weeks for the athletes, visitors, fans and the entire community that has rallied behind these World Championships.”

The competitions will begin with ladies’ super-G tomorrow, 3rd February and the following day the men will take their place on the Birds of Prey course for their chance at super-G action. . 

The host broadcast operation is being carried out by EPC (European Production Coordination) with all races produced in HDTV. It is expected that throughout the two weeks of competitions, more than 201 camera angles will be used to give viewers a rich experience.

EBU, the media and marketing rights holder, reported that the World Championships will be broadcast live in 27 countries. Over 1,500 media representatives across television, print and online media will be present on site in Vail and Beaver Creek.

Furthermore, for the first time at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships live online programing will be available free-of-charge for all races through the EBU video player, which can be also found on the FIS website.

The international commercial partners secured by the EBU’s marketing sales company Tridem Sports include: Audi (presenting sponsor), Longines (official timing and data partner), J Lindeberg, Helvetia, Deichmann and Liqui-moly.

FIS
03 February 2015 00:38