Obersaxen to host 2019 World Para Alpine Skiing Champs

World Para Alpine Skiing announced on Wednesday (1 February) that the 2019 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships will be held in Obersaxen, Switzerland.

The news came the day after the conclusion of the 2017 World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, and at an exciting time for Swiss Para alpine skiing.

Their giant slalom Paralympic champion Christoph Kunz won his first world title in the men’s super-G sitting and Theo Gmur and Robin Cuche secured a silver medal each.

Dimitrije Lazarovski, Head of World Para Snow Sports said: “We are excited to be working with the Obersaxen Mundaun to organise what will be the first gathering of skiers after the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

“I am also confident they will host a great event to follow the Worlds in Tarvisio, which has attracted a record number of media, hundreds of local spectators and has seen the world’s best skiers put in some stunning performances.

“My thanks go to the organisers for their work so far, and we look forward to raising the bar once again in Switzerland.”

More than 130 skiers from 30 countries are expected to compete at Obersaxen 2019, around one year after PyeongChang 2018.

The Championships are expected to take place in March, with a World Cup acting as a Test Event also being considered for 2018.

Following Wednesday’s announcement, the Local Organising Committee of Obersaxen 2019 will now be officially formed.

Around 100 skiers competed in Tarvisio at the 2017 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships.

In addition to Kunz’s gold in the Italian alps, Gmur grabbed silver in the men’s giant slalom standing. Robin Cuche, nephew of Olympic skier Didier Cuche, also finished on the podium in the men’s super combined standing.