Åre 2019 Inspired the World to Ski

posted:

18/02/2019

Closing ceremony in Åre

The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Åre 2019 concluded Sunday, 17 February, with the men’s slalom competition and the closing ceremony. To officially mark the end of the season’s highlight event in Åre, Sweden, the local organizing committee handed over the flag of the International Ski Federation (FIS) to the organizers of the 2021 World Ski Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

Since the opening ceremony on 4 February, the 14 days of the Championships have seen 11 new world champions crowned after fantastic performances on the demanding slopes on Mount Åre.

- I am really proud of the organization and of what we have achieved considering what we can and cannot control. I am especially proud of the people on the mountain; what they have done is just tremendous, said Niklas Carlsson, CEO of Åre 2019, who continued:

Closing ceremony in Åre.

- We’ve had extremely challenging weather but we still succeeded in offering the athletes exceptional sporting conditions which was our mission. We only had to cancel one men’s downhill training while the best athletes based on this year’s World Cup results won medals. In sum, we have had very nice but challenging two weeks, which have proven us as a good organizer.

- We’re very satisfied with these Championships. We’ve had great competitions. It’s been challenging conditions, no doubt, but the organizing committee has been totally focused on ensuring that the sport was at the center, added Sarah Lewis, Secretary General of FIS.

Despite the continuously changing and unpredictable weather conditions, 102’000 people attended the competitions in the Swedish National Arena. In addition, 32’000 attended the various side events and ceremonies at the Medals Plaza. This meets the goal set by the organizers which was to attract 120’000 visitors to Åre during the two-week event.

- Looking ahead, we’ve again gained great experience in major event organization including developing a great base of human resources thanks to our 1’400 volunteers alone. This will certainly help us if and when we are awarded the right to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as part of the joint 2026 Stockholm-Åre bid, added Carlsson.

- The long-term goal of these Championships was to attract more international guests to Åre which will benefit everyone in the region. Given that the beautiful images transmitted from here by our host broadcaster Infront/SVT have the potential reach in excess of 815 million households worldwide, we believe that will indeed be the case, concluded Niklas Carlsson

cancel one men’s downhill training while the best athletes based on this year’s World Cup results won medals. In sum, we have had very nice but challenging two weeks, which have proven us as a good organizer.

Facts & Figures Åre 2019