Busy Month In Italy For FISI
The Italian Ski Federation (FISI) has had a full month of activities during October and things will continue to heat up as Modena prepares to host a Snowboard and Freeski big air World Cup on 3rd and 4th November to launch the Northern Hemisphere FIS World Cup season.
The activites started on 18th October when FISI hosted a press conference in Milan to highlight the upcoming season’s competitions. It is clear that media interest in winter sports is high in Italy with more than 100 journalists attending the press conference, which included news from the Cortina 2021, FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, the upcoming FIS World Cup competitions in Modena and notably, the launch of a new campaign in conjunction with Italy’s bid to host the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Earlier in the week, Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Organiser, Alta Badia presented their programme to the media and partners in Milan, with exciting new innovations to look forward to and a new leader of the Organising Committee, Andy Varallo.
The new campaign #MontagnaItalia2026 aims to have athletes and key winter sports leaders use the hashtag in their social media activities to promote both the Olympic candidature, while highlighting the importance of sustainability to promote the future of the ‘Italian Mountains’.
Capping off the whirlwind month of October, the Italian Federation, together with the Local Organising Committee of the Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships hosted the fifth Coordination Group visit on 28th and 29th October.
FIS administrative and sport representatives descended on Cortina, directly following the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup opening races in Soelden to see the progress from the last summer in the Italian village and focus on the upcoming priorities and activities for the next six months. They were joined by representatives of Infront Sports, the official commercial and broadcast partner for the World Championships.
It was clear that the construction work on the new finish area for the speed races was in full swing over the summer as much progress was made since the spring visits.
During the subsequent meetings many of the logistical and infrastructure plans were discussed in detail including accommodation, marketing, accreditation, transportation, ceremonies and promotional activities, to name a few areas, which are taking shape and well on the way.
In the last months, the Cortina 2021 delegation has also been busy away from home and actively participating in the Transfer of Knowledge programme, attending the FIS Congress in spring, FIS Technical Meetings in October, the Final Inspection in Are (SWE) two weeks ago and naturally providing a presence at the recently concluded World Cup opener in Soelden. Study groups will be present throughout the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Are where many key persons will have the opportunity to shadow their counterparts. Additionally the technical teams will support the FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships taking place in nearby Val di Fassa.
“It is clear that the Cortina 2021 team has been going full steam ahead throughout the last five months,” said FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis. “The spirit in the collective Organising Committee, Community and Authorities is providing a strong basis for the tangible progress both with the facilities and arrangements in the town and up on the mountain. The plans for the phase are well thought out to both stage outstanding Championships, but also ensure an important legacy for the community and tourism long into the future.”
The coming season will see Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup competitions for ladies in downhill and super-GJanuary 2019 followed by the Italian National Championships in March 2019, which will serve as an important test event for the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in March 2020. In April 2019 Cortina will host the Debrief from the Are 2019 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships immediately followed by the sixth Coordination Group inspection.
