The FIS commends preparations for the Soldeu El Tartar World Cup Finals
Experts in charge of the International Ski Federation posted to the Andorran resort praise the competitive stage and the readiness of the organising committee in every aspect
Soldeu El Tarter has been visited by the highest-ranking representatives of the International Ski Federation (FIS) from the men’s and women’s alpine ski World Cup circuit, as well as the Infront Sports and Media operations team, the production company responsible for the worldwide television broadcast. The aim of the meeting has been to thoroughly address all matters relating to the organisation of the 2019 World Cup Finals, ranging from the most operational, technical and purely sports aspect to the more social and promotional aspect.
The meeting has been attended by chief race director of the women’s alpine ski World Cup, Atle Skaardal, and his counterpart of the men’s trials, Markus Waldner. They have accompanied the technical operational managers, Mike Kertesz and Andreas Krönner, as well as head of communications for the women’s circuit, Christine J. Feehan, among other constituents of the FIS. In attendance, on behalf of the organising committee, were managing director of the World Cup Finals, Conrad Blanch, director of Grandvalira-Ensisa, David Hidalgo, race director,Jordi Pujol, as well as other members of the local organising team. President of the Andorran Ski Federation (FAE), Josep Pintat, and technical director, Carles Visa, were also present.
During the last two days, the individuals in charge of the FIS have inspected and approved the ski routes that will be the stage of the competition in Grandvalira. On one hand, they have seen the Avet piste of the Soldeu sector and the works being carried out at the finish area confirming the exit points of the men’s and women’s Slalom and Giant Slalom. On the other hand, they have tested the tracks of the Alga piste in El Tarter sector which hosts the speed trials, Downhill, Super Giant Slalom and team trials, which the Andorran team will take part in.
Regarding the assessment of the preparations, Atle Skaardal confirms that “the inspection has been a complete success and all the requirements have been met.” The technician has emphasised the fact that “the widening project of the Avet piste is now a reality and at the FIS we have been impressed.” Markus Waldner has stressed that “the Finals is an event that goes beyond sport; it’s a spectacle.”
Managing Director of the 2019 World Cup Finals, Conrad Blanch, has underlined that “the organising committee team is doing a fine job and there has been a great collaboration and harmony among the members of the FIS.” “The goal is to ensure everything that comes with the World Cup Finals is a spectacle and that it involves the participation of the whole country.”
Also during the visit, the commitment paper was signed between the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the Andorran Ski Federation (FAE) in which the agreements between the various organisational aspects are set out, such as the programme, the technical details of the pistes and races, the resort’s human resources and technicians required to deal with the event, the location of the press rooms, accommodation, team hospitality points and award hall, among many others.
One of the objectives, with which Soldeu El Tarter address the World Cup Finals, is for the competition to be a window into the world that transcends the sports field. The event will be presented as a social occasion with different programmes, shows and activities alongside the races. Accordingly, the organising committee will have a dynamic action plan, which is receiving its finishing touches with different agents throughout the country, with a view of integrating them into the promotional process of the World Cup Finals.
Next stop, Sölden
The next meeting of the World Cup Finals organising committee with the FIS will be at the opening of the World Cup in Sölden (Austria) at the end of this month. On 27 and 28 October, the men’s and women’s Giant Slalom will be contested on the well-known Rettenbach Glacier.
You can read our post on how Grandvalira hosted the European Cup Finals, a precursor to the 2019 World Cup Finals.
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Featured Image: Grandvalira is the largest resort under one lift ticket in Andorra. Photo courtesy Grandvalira.
