PyeongChang 2018 assessed on first official visit
10.06.2015Representatives from IPC Alpine Skiing and Snowboard went to South Korea to check on progress for skiing and snowboard for the next Paralympic Winter Games.
The Alpensia Resort in the mountain cluster of Pyeongchang, South Korea.
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The legacy of these Games for alpine skiing and snowboard in Asia is one of the most important elements for us."
Officials from IPC Alpine Skiing and Snowboard have returned from an ‘encouraging’ visit to South Korea, where they assessed progress with the organisation for alpine skiing and snowboard competitions at the Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang 2018.
Markus Walser, IPC Alpine Skiing Sport Technical Committee Chairperson and Dimitrije Lazarovski, Head of IPC Snowsports, visited all the venues between 16-18 May as well as meeting with representatives of the Korean Paralympic Committee and Korean Adaptive Skiing Association (KASA).
The visit preceded the IPC Governing Board meeting in Tokyo, Japan, where medal events for snowboard were increased to 10 from the two featured at Sochi 2014, where the sport made a successful Paralympic debut
Walser and Lazarovksi carried out visits to the Jeongseon Alpine Centre, which will host alpine speed events and Yongpyong Alpine Centre, which will see technical events and snowboard competitions. They agreed that the IPC Alpine Skiing Asia Cup and IPC Snowboard Asia Cup, both in March 2016, will act as pre-Test Events.
Speaking after the visit, Walser said: “With just under three years to go until PyeongChang 2018 we are encouraged by the progress being made with the venues and infrastructure by the organisers, on our first official visit.
“There is still work to do however and we have outlined what needs to be achieved before we return for the second visit in September-October 2015.
“Holding the pre-Test Events in March next year will allow for athletes and teams to become familiar with both the venues and the surrounding area, as well as for the organisers to test their preparation. Most significantly, it will also give athletes from the region the chance to compete at an international event close to home.
“The legacy of these Games for alpine skiing and snowboard in Asia is one of the most important elements for us, and we are aiming for the result to be an increase in top-level athletes competing on the world stage in future years.”
The 30 medal events for alpine skiing for PyeongChang 2018 were also confirmed by the IPC Governing Board. The full calendar for 2015-16 will be announced shortly.
