Has French sport finally learned all the nuances of the word lobbying? Likely. In recent months, its representatives have managed to reverse the spiral of failure that dragged it downward whenever it was a question of applying to host a major event on the world calendar. From now on, victory appears with each attempt. Bluffing.
Thursday May 17, the council of the International Ski Federation (FIS) had to choose for the attribution of the Alpine Ski Worlds in 2023 between a French file, structured around the rich Savoyard resorts of Courchevel and Méribel, and an Austrian candidacy, carried by Saalbach, no less rich a winter sports center, located in the state of Salzburg. A France/Austria match. A clash of colossi.
Proof of its new know-how in controlling a campaign, France won the day. By 9 votes to 6, the FIS opted for the Savoyard option. For the fifth time in history, France will organize the Alpine Ski World Championships, after Chamonix in 1937 and 1962, Grenoble in 1968 (as part of the Winter Games), and finally Val d'Isère in 2009.
The series continues. After the Paris 2024 Games and the Rugby World Cup in 2023, skiing is making its contribution to a building that is more imposing than ever. Let us cite, among the other events highlighted by French sport, the golf Ryder Cup and the women's handball Euro in 2018, the men's volleyball Euro (with Belgium, the Netherlands and Slovenia) and the Women's World Cup in 2019, the European Athletics and Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in 2020.
Michel Vion, the president of the French Ski Federation (FFS), head of the candidacy, made no secret of it: “ We are the favorites. It’s our turn to host the event. Our case is solid, like that of the Austrians. We campaigned for a long time. " Without a doubt. But, proof of a serious change of direction, the job was carried out to the end, with a subtle mixture of sense of maneuver, humility and attention to detail.
In Costa Navarino, where the FIS annual congress is held, the delegation from Courchevel and Méribel showed up in force, with nearly 45 people. She hosted her stand until the last moment. She took care of her presentation, two days before the vote, playing on the surprise effect by bringing in former slalom skier Claudia Riegler, wife of Antoine Dénériaz, the Olympic downhill champion, originally from Austria. She chose to speak in English.
Reaction from Michel Vion, cited by Ski Chrono: " It's a great victory. It rewards the work that has been done over the past two years. I am already planning for the future, for me these Worlds can be a catalyst for many things in terms of media, economics, but also in terms of legacy for the younger generations. This is the event we needed to maintain the momentum"
The Alpine Ski World Championships will take place from February 9 to 16, 2023. The men's races will take place on the Jockeys track in Courchevel. It will need an adjustment. The women's events and the team competition will be held in Méribel, on the Roc de Fer track, used for the Albertville Games in 1992. The two resorts are 17 km apart.
A provisional budget has been established at 42 million euros. The FIS will contribute the largest share – 30 million euros – for television rights and marketing. Laura Flessel, the Minister of Sports, has already promised a commitment from the State to the tune of 7 million euros.
During the same day, the FIS council voted on the allocation of other upcoming major events. He chose to innovate, by entrusting Planica, in Slovenia, with the Nordic Ski World Championships in 2023. A first. The Slovenian station competed with Trondheim, Norway. The freestyle skiing and snowboarding world championships in 2023 will take place in another unique location, the towns of Gudaui and Bakuriani, in Georgia. Finally, the Vikersund ski jump, in Norway, will serve as the setting for the Ski Flying World Championships in 2022.
