Panorama 2015 course build begins

The organisers of the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in Panorama, Canada, have begun to build the courses for the biggest gathering of alpine skiers since the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Adorned in their striking blue jackets which were also issued on Sunday (22 February), scores of volunteers and resort officials were enlisted to build the downhill course in time for training which begins on Monday (2 March).

The course will start on the Roller-Coaster slope with three public viewing areas near the top of the run, open for free to spectators for the first race day on 4 March from 11am (MST).

Skiers will shift across and then around the Mile 1 hut, where there is also another public viewing area, speeding onto Old Timer and Hoggsflats for the finish.

The super-G starts on Skyline at 11am on 5 March and takes the same route as the downhill.

The super-combined will run from 10.30am on 7 March on the super-G course, with the slalom portion taking place from 1.30pm that afternoon.

During all competitions fans can also gather at the finish line to watch athletes on the home stretch.

The technical courses will see the greatest medal chances for home skiers, with men’s giant slalom visually impaired Paralympic champion Mac Marcoux and guide brother BJ on the hunt for their first world title.

The giant slalom begins on 8 March at 10am at the Mile 1 Hut, straight down onto Old Timer where there are two public viewing areas.

Skiers will line-up on Hayfever for the start of the slalom on 10 March at 10am, where Canadian Kimberley Joines will hope to follow up on her Sochi 2014 bronze medal in the women’s sitting.

Public ski around routes are available on all the courses.

Action begins in Panorama after the Opening Ceremony on Saturday (28 February). A full competition schedule is available at the event website, as well as course maps for the exact locations of the public viewing areas.

Panorama 2015 runs from 28 February-10 March and will feature around 130 athletes from 30 countries.

Live results and a livestream will be available at the Panorama 2015 website, whilst viewers in the US can watch at the US Paralympics website.