The FIS inspection in and around Schladming, on the Planai and Hochwurzen, for the candidacy of the Alpine Ski World Cup 2013, went smoothly on the 3rd and 4th of September. On Monday, the inspection of the sports facilities and slopes took place. On Tuesday, 100 mandatory questions spread out over 18 chapters with an additional 50 questions were completed.

A top-notch FIS inspection group with Günter Hujara, Head of men’s and Atle Skaardal, Head of women’s, as well as Jan Tischhauser and Helmut Schmalzl (security officers), Bernhard Russi (FIS legal adviser for race courses), Christian Knauth (marketing), Erwin Lauterwasser (environment) and Sarah Lewis, FIS General Secretary, thoroughly examined the candidacy of Schladming.

The FIS Group issued the Schladming organizational committee an excellent report card: the men’s downhill (Planai FIS downhill) and the women’s downhill (Planai Streicher downhill) were, by and large, already completed. This aspect was particularly praised by Günter Hujara: “The sports area is ready”. The team of experts also positively emphasized the fact that suggestions made by the FIS during previous inspections had already been converted. Environmental officer, Erwin Lauterwasser, highlighted and praised the greening of the slopes, and the excellent work provided by the executive authorities in the areas of security/traffic. The successful implementation of the “Night Race”, with its 40.000+ visitors, is obviously the best show piece in all areas of Schladming.

The core concept “World Cup of Short Trails” as well as a target area in Planai Stadium is especially important to the FIS, and in particular, to the TV stations. Apart from downhill, other points such as environmental protection, security, medical care (inspection of the new hospital), accommodations, logistics, organization, media support, marketing, as well as exact weather conditions and snow conditions were discussed. Reliable snow conditions are obviously a particularly crucial criterion for the FIS. The fact that there are 580 employed snow makers on the Planai and Hochwurzen, and that the snow machines will be expanded this year, was approvingly acknowledged by the FIS team of experts.
The decision on the assignment of the Alpine Ski World Cup 2013 will be made in May 2008 in Capetown. Apart from Schladming, St. Moritz (Switzerland), Cortina (Italy), and Beaver Creek (Colorado, USA) are also in the running.