The countdown is precise. In two years, France will host the Alpine Skiing World Championships. The event is scheduled for February 6 to 19, 2023 in the Savoyard resorts of Courchevel and Méribel. The women's races for the first, the men's events for the second.
Two years before the deadline, while the elite of the discipline have set down their trunks in Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy) for the 2021 Worlds (February 8 to 21), the French organizers say they are faithful to their schedule . Perrine Pelen (photo below), the triple Olympic medalist (Lake Placid 1980 and Sarajevo 1984), director of the Courchevel-Méribel 2023 organizing committee, explained this to FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux : Has the health crisis slowed down or disrupted the preparation for the Alpine Ski World Championships in 2023?
Perrine Pelen : No not yet. But our organization is more in tension. We are very attentive to what is happening. And, of course, concerned about the cessation of activity in France, with the closure of the ski lifts. The current situation requires us to adapt, to be more agile and to gain height. But preparation for the event is not affected. The new Courchevel track has been delivered. In Méribel, modeling work on the alpine ski stadium is planned for next summer. They have been confirmed.
What about the budget?
He is still under control. But we have planned a review by the summer. Our budget amounts to 43 million euros, of which 30 million comes from the International Ski Federation (FIS). Another significant part – 7 million euros – is provided by public subsidies. The challenge, for us, is to find 5,5 million euros in private partnerships. The winter sports industry has been hit by the health crisis, but the 2023 Worlds can also be a window to the world after. It is up to us to find the sectors of activity and companies least impacted by the economic crisis and to convince them to join the event.
Two years before the deadline, how is the organizing committee functioning today?
We are six full-time employees. And we have around a dozen external speakers working on specific subjects. In addition, we can rely on the expertise of the services of the two resorts, Courchevel and Méribel. Both have solid experience in welcoming foreign visitors and organizing international events. They are very seasoned. Two years before the Worlds, we are in good working order.
What identity do you want to give to the 2023 Alpine Ski World Championships in Courchevel and Méribel?
These world championships will make history by being the first awarded to two different stations and two different sites. We see it as an asset, a strike force, with a strong “All together” dimension. We also want to leave a legacy, by trying to bridge the distance that has arisen between young people and alpine skiing. Our ambition is to offer an event that can combine tradition, innovation and social and environmental responsibility.
How do you plan to use the 2023 Worlds to bring young people back to alpine skiing?
This will require inspiring the younger generation. The champions will have a role to play, of course, through their performances. But they won't be enough. We must implement specific actions in the territories, targeted at young people, particularly in relation to the school environment. Go out to meet young people to offer them not only a sporting event, the Alpine Ski Worlds, but also a whole environment. Sport, snow, mountains. The 2023 world championships must go beyond just the competition tracks. They must highlight, to the new generation, the mountain as a whole.
