Four months after the U.S. Ski Team’s best Olympics, fans of American ski racing got more big news Thursday when Vail-Beaver Creek was awarded the 2015 world alpine ski championships.
Vail previously hosted the biennial event in 1989 and 1999. Aspen hosted the event in 1950. Those are the only times one of skiing’s banner, international events have been held in the United States.
“This is going to keep the momentum of U.S. alpine skiing going forward, after the success of the Olympics,” John Garnsey, co-president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division, said from the International Ski Federation meetings in Antalya, Turkey.
Vail’s Lindsey Vonn now can look forward to competing in the world championships in her hometown when she will be 30 years old, presumably at the height of her career. Vonn scooped the U.S. Ski Team and Vail Resorts with news of the FIS decision on her Facebook page.
“Wooohoooo!!!” Vonn wrote. “Vail, CO will host the 2015 World Championships!!! I’m so excited!!!!”
Vail Resorts will build a new women’s downhill at Beaver Creek’s Birds of Prey, pending Forest Service approval.
“If they approve it, we will build it, and it will be one of the great women’s downhill courses in the world,” Garnsey said.
There was a sense in the sport that it was North America’s turn because the past five and next two world championships were awarded to European resorts, but the Vail delegation was surprised to win by a first-ballot vote.
Vail-Beaver Creek received eight votes, with four going to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and three to St. Moritz, Switzerland.
“That’s what shocked us,” Garnsey said. “You very rarely win it in the first round.”
U.S. Ski Team chief executive Bill Marolt, who got to watch the 1950 championships in his hometown of Aspen when he was 6 years old, said the U.S. was “deeply honored” to be chosen.
“We look forward to working with our strong partner, the Vail Valley Foundation, to produce a world championships that is successful both athletically and as a catalyst for continued growth in our sport,” Marolt said.
The decision underscores Vail-Beaver Creek’s long-established reputation as the center of alpine ski racing in America.
“The Vail community, Vail Resorts, the U.S. Ski Team and ourselves have really hoped to bring back a world championships since the 1999 closing ceremonies,” Vail Valley Foundation president Ceil Folz said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled that the FIS had that vision, and we’re happy to be their host.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
