With the countdown clock for the 2017 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti (FIN) hitting the 300-day mark tomorrow, the Organising Committee had a busy week, holding the important World Broadcaster meeting, immediately followed by the equally significant Coordination Group meetings.
The week kicked off with more than 70 members from around a dozen nations attending the World Broadcaster meeting on 26th and 27th April. YLE, appointed by the rights holder, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as the Host Broadcaster for the World Championships, laid out the detailed plans for the individuals responsible for bringing the World Championship action live to millions of homes around the globe.
On Tuesday, 26th April, YLE, together with the Local Organising Committee presented the competition and venue plans including the competition schedule. In the afternoon, the group saw the recently-renovated venue first hand on a detailed tour and discussed various camera positions and logistics. Technical operations and the media compound took centre stage on Wednesday with all media facilities being presented and discussed in depth.
At the conclusion of the World Broadcaster gathering, the Coordination Group started its two days of meetings as the Organisers gave a full report on the Test Event staged at the end of last winter as part of the traditional FIS World Cup stop for all three Nordic disciplines. Overall, the Organisers were pleased with the new elements implemented during the Test Event, notably the media and team services making huge strides.
Although it is the record-breaking seventh time for Lahti to host the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, the Organising Committee is using this important opportunity to present a new look and feel and has put in great efforts to upgrade all of the facilities in order to leave a lasting legacy for the community, and to renew interest in Nordic Skiing throughout the region and indeed Finland.
Initial ticket sales reports are also very positive, with the Finnish community showing great interest, especially with the World Championships being the first major highlight in the nation’s 100-year anniversary celebrations.
“We saw at the World Cup competitions this last winter that the Organisers are on track to go the extra distance and achieve a new and exciting level at the World Championships,” said FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis. “Fans, spectators, media and teams already enjoyed greatly improved conditions and the goal is now to build on this momentum throughout the next 300 days.”
"We were very pleased with the Test Event during the World Cup, but also know there are some areas that we can build on between now and the World Championships," said Lahti 2017 CEO Janne Leksinen. "We will focus specifically on community engagement and ticket sales in the upcoming months and look forward to presenting Finland, and the entire Nordic Skiing community, with a world-class event."
Source: fis-ski.com
