With just under 500 days left until the FIS Nordic
World Ski Championships 2015 in Falun, Sweden, the
Coordination Group met on 10th and 11th October
2013 with an eye on the upcoming test season which
will see Falun host four major international events,
including the Viessmann FIS World Cup Finals including
all Nordic disciplines on 14th – 16th March 2014.
Under the motto ‘Beyond all Expectations’, the Falun
2015 Organising Committee showed that they are committed
to living up to their tagline as they are not only
on track for the World Championships, but exceeding
expectations at this stage in the preparations in
several areas.
“It was definitely a positive meeting from all sides,”
said FIS General Secretary Sarah Lewis. “Falun is
going the extra mile to ensure that they will be
well-organised and memorable World Championships
with a lasting legacy for the region. The progress
on the re-construction of the ski jumping facilityand
their promotional efforts are particularly impressive.”
The Falun 2015 Organising Committee, joined by representatives
of FIS, the EBU and its marketing partner Tridem
Sports, Host Broadcaster SVT, along with the City
of Falun’s project management made a site inspection
of the newly-renovated Lugnet Ski Jumping hills,
which are on schedule to open in November of this
year. From the Ski Jumping hills, parts of the Cross-Country
courses, which should be ready in December, could
also be viewed.
Sven von Holst, CEO for the Falun 2015 Organising
Committee said, “We are looking forward to the winter
and the test events. It will be a good indicator
of where we are and what work still needs to be
done so we are 100 percent ready for the world in
February 2015.”
Falun reported major progress in several areas.
To date 1,100 volunteers have registered their interest
to help at the World Championships and several of
those individuals will be used this upcoming season
at the test events. In addition, more than 400 local
companies have signed up to join the World Championship
partner programme titled ‘Beyond Skiing.’ Details
such as the schedule, environmental plan and ticketing
strategy are also in the final stages of confirmation.
Sandro Pertile, a key figure in the Organising Committee
for the Val di Fiemme World Championships in 2003
and 2013, has been appointed as the Ski Jumping
Advisor for the Falun 2015 World Championships.
As former Ski Jumping Sport Manager for the Torino
2006 Olympic Winter Games and one of the top Ski
Jumping TDs for FIS, his expertise has proven to
be beneficial in the reconstruction of the Ski Jumping
hills and in planning the general infrastructure
for Ski Jumping at the World Championships in Falun.
To prepare for the World Championships, Falun will
host four FIS events in 2014 with a heavy emphasis
on Nordic Combined and Ski Jumping events. There
are two Continental Cup competitions scheduled in
addition to a World Cup event on 26th February 2014
followed by the World Cup Finals in mid-March.
In the end of October 2013, information will be
sent out to teams and media for pre-registration
for accommodation for the World Championships. Falun
has already started promoting the World Championships
throughout Scandinavia with various campaigns, including
branding a travelling truck that will visit numerous
events to build excitement about the World Championships.
Ticket sales are scheduled to start at the beginning
of 2014, in time for the two FIS World Cup events.