World Cup Plans Return to Colorado
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association expects approval of Audi FIS World Cup ski races in Beaver Creek and Aspen at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Congress meetings next month in Cape Town. Both sites are important to both the USSA and the FIS for the growing legacy of ski racing in North America, said USSA Vice President of Events Calum Clark.
"We're excited to continue to bring World Cup racing to legacy venues such as Beaver Creek and Aspen," said Clark. "We'll utilize the opportunity of the meetings to promote our great venue partners and our long-term commitment to introducing the next generation to the sport with World Cup stops at Aspen and Beaver Creek and, hopefully, the return of World Championships to the Vail Valley five years from now."
The Aspen Winternational will return to the traditional Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 29-30. The men's World Cup circuit will follow with Beaver Creek's Birds of Prey race week Dec. 4-7.
Aspen and Vail/Beaver Creek have hosted elite level international ski races for over a half-century. Aspen, then under the guidance of skiing legend Dick Durrance, was the site of the 1950 World Alpine Championships. Both Aspen and Vail also were early venues when the World Cup circuit made its debut in the 1966-67 season and have a strong tradition of community involvement for the sport.
"Aspen Skiing Company annually reviews its event offerings and we remain enthusiastically committed to hosting World Cup racing this year and for years to come," said John Rigney, Vice President, Sales and Events, Aspen Skiing Company. "It is clear that the tradition of ski racing is important to Aspen/Snowmass and our community support for World Cup is unsurpassed in North America."
"With the growing success of the U.S. Ski Team, hosting World Cups is even more exciting than ever for America," added Clark. "Athletes like World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn remember as young kids watching their heroes race at U.S. World Cups. It was there they were inspired to pick up the gauntlet and add to the legacy. Our time is now and we are committed to raising the bar athletically here at home and inspiring the next generation of ski racers."
The USSA and the Vail Valley Foundation also will present the final bid for the 2013 World Championships to be held at Vail/Beaver Creek resorts. The Foundation is the organizing arm for all major events in the valley and was responsible for successfully hosting the 1989 and 1999 World Championships in Vail.
"Hopefully, we'll have the opportunity to celebrate another World Championships coming to the valley," said Vail Valley Foundation President Ceil Folz. "Regardless of the outcome of the 2013 vote, the Foundation and Vail Resorts are firmly committed to making Birds of Prey one of the premier men's World Cup events in the world each and every year."
Other candidates for the 2013 championships include Schladming, Austria, which hosted the '82 Worlds; St. Moritz, Switzerland, the 2003 championships host; and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, site of the 1956 Olympic Winter Games.
"Together we all have the experience to host successful and efficient events as well as the ability to welcome the world to skiing in America," commented Clark.
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World Cup Plans Return to Colorado
