VAIL, Colo.—Lack of space in Vail Village at the base of the Vail ski resort means the area will no longer be able to host world championship speed races.
The Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas are jointly bidding to host the World Alpine Ski Championships in 2013, but Vail does not have enough space at the finish area at its base to host speed events, the Vail Daily reported. Vail Resorts Inc.’s Beaver Creek area, 10 miles to the west, will be able to host such events, however. Vail would have to stick to hosting more technical events, like slaloms.
John Dakin, vice president of communications for the Vail Valley Foundation, which is organizing the championship bid, said the new “Front Door” development at Vail Village reduces flexibility. The development includes a skier services building, a private club and condos.
“The building has changed the dimensions of the finish area,” Dakin said.
Councilman Andy Daly said he doubted Vail could have met the requirements of speed-race officials even before the development. He lamented the loss because speed races created an electric atmosphere.
“That’s definitely a big disappointment,” Daly said. “It really gets down to the fact that the FIS (International Ski Federation) increased their requirements not only for the actual finish area, but also for the crowd and event areas behind the finish area, and that’s where we apparently don’t have the space.”
Dakin said Vail will campaign vigorously to get technical races. “We feel strongly that Vail needs to be included as part of the schedule,” Dakin said
Vail Resorts’ 2013 bid includes plans to build a new, women’s downhill course at Beaver Creek.
The host of the 2013 championships will be selected this spring. Other candidates are Schladming, Austria; Cortina, Italy; and St. Moritz, Switzerland.
———
Information from: Vail Daily,
