Tarvisio, Italy, to host 2017 alpine skiing Worlds

“The event will be the last major competition ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and therefore we expect most of the world’s best skiers to compete."

IPC Alpine Skiing has announced that its 2017 World Championships, the biggest Para alpine skiing event outside of the Paralympic Winter Games, will take place in Tarvisio, Italy, from 22-31 January.

More than 140 athletes from 30 countries are expected to gather in the beautiful Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) region to compete in men’s and women’s sitting, standing and visually impaired across technical and speed events.

Dimitrije Lazarovski, Head of IPC Snowsports, said: “Tarvisio and FVG will provide a beautiful setting for the 2017 World Championships. We have held many World Cups there in the past, including the World Cup Finals before Sochi 2014, which have always been delivered to a high standard and enjoyed by all the athletes and countries.

“The event will be the last major competition ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and therefore we expect most of the world’s best skiers to compete.

“I am grateful to the organisers, SportXAll, and their partners for their support and enthusiasm to put on a great event and welcome teams, spectators and media from all over the world for some incredible high-level racing.”

The President of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Paolo Tavian, said: "I am honoured to host the IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in Italy. This event is one of the most important in my career as both a coach and athlete.

“I am honoured because our region is a territory yet to be discovered and the athletes will surely appreciate our enthusiasm. I am also sure the local community will give a warm welcome to all.

“SportXAll, as the LOC, will work hard in order to reach this aim with the mission to make the World Championships an event for athletes to show their special ability, skills and courage.

“I hope that everyone will feel at home - in a foreign land - as I did every time I had an international Para-sport experience."

The countdown to Tarvisio 2017 officially began on Wednesday (11 May) with a fashion show in Portopiccolo, Sistiana, under the patronage of the FVG regional tourism board and SportXAll.

Deborah Serrachiani, President of the FVG region, spoke alongside fashion designer and supporter Matteo Marzotto and representatives from Portopiccolo, SportXAll and other event partners.

The organisers have a variety of events planned in 2016 and early 2017 under the ‘Road to Tarvisio 2017’ banner, to raise awareness of the Championships, recruit volunteers and involve schools in the event as part of its legacy.

The last IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships were held in 2015 and attracted 126 athletes from 23 countries to Panorama, Canada.