(ATR) POCOG president Yang-ho Cho and his team have been onsite in Vail/Beaver Creek, Colorado to observe and learn from the experienced organizers of the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships.
Areas that 29 POCOG staff members are focusing on in preparation for the 2018 Winter Games include venue/slopes operation and management, equipment, snow-making, staffing, safety, security, transportation, medical and press operations.
"The 2015 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships event is a great opportunity for PyeongChang 2018 to experience and learn world class skiing event operations," Cho told Around the Rings in Beaver Creek.
The Vail/Beaver Creek resort is hosting the first U.S.-based alpine championships since 1999. However, the organizers, led by president Ceil Folz, have vast experience as a regular World Cup stop since the mid-1980s.
Cho and POCOG vice presidents met with FIS president Gian Franco Kasper and secretary general Sarah Lewis on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
"Our meeting with FIS president Kasper and secretary general Lewis was very informative and encouraging," Cho said. "I much appreciate the constant support that FIS is showing us."
"FIS has met with president Cho on many occasions, all the way from the bidding days, and has an excellent relationship with him and his team," Lewis said.
Cho, who became president of POCOG in July 2014 and also led the winning PyeongChang 2018 bid committee, attended races at the Beaver Creek venue and medal ceremonies in nearby Vail.
"Though a tight schedule, I observed venues and operations, medals ceremonies and part of the competitions, which were all very impressive," said Cho, who is also the chairman of Korean Airlines.
"There is a strong tradition with the FIS event organizers to always support the next ones and share knowledge and experience," Lewis said. "Vail/Beaver Creek has been highly committed in this regard and the Koreans could not be luckier to have this opportunity."
South Korea has limited world class ski racing experience, as PyeongChang has only hosted four FIS World Cup alpine technical events. The Asian nation has never staged the substantially more complex speed events.
Beaver Creek race crew member Tyson Bolduc discussed his on-mountain experience this past week assisting the South Koreans.
"They know what goes into making a race, but I think their interest is more into the personnel and how to maintain so many bodies flowing, keeping them motivated and fed and I think that’s where Beaver Creek really strives," Bolduc said.
"Not only is the course set up perfectly, but there is always communication and people to help," Bolduc said about the experienced crew.
In 2018, giant slalom and slalom events will be contested at the Yongpyong Alpine Center, a ski area that is being refurbished. Downhill and super-G races will be staged on the slopes of the Jeongseon Alpine Center, a new venue being developed for the Games.
Recently retired FIS race director Guenter Hujara – who is in Beaver Creek for the championships – is serving as an alpine skiing technical consultant to PyeongChang 2018.
Cho departed Colorado last Thursday, returning to South Korea for PyeongChang’s three-years-to-go celebrations happening on Monday.
"Again, I thank president Kasper and FIS for this support," Cho said.
"I promise to continue to work closely with the international winter sports federations to prepare a successful Games in 2018."
Miller and Bank Recovering From Crashes
Czech skier Ondrej Bank crashed hard and hit his head after losing control over the Red Tail finish jump in Sunday’s super combined downhill.
Bank, a four-time Olympian, suffered a concussion, facial lacerations and bruises on his leg. Race officials advised that a CT scan of the head and body was clear.
The 34-year-old Czech skier slid unconsciously across the finish line and medical personnel rushed to his aid. After being treated for approximately 20 minutes, Bank was taken away on a sled and transported to Vail Valley Medical Center.
Six-time Olympic medalist Bode Miller also suffered a nasty crash in last Thursday’s super-G and, like Bank, escaped serious injury.
Miller crashed nearly one minute into his run after clipping a gate with his shoulder at high speed. He got spun around 180 degrees, smacked the snow and tumbled multiple times.
The veteran ski racer, who was able to ski down the mountain on his own power, severed a hamstring tendon and received approximately 50 stitches for a gash above his calf.
In an interview with Dan Hicks of NBC, Miller hinted at retirement saying, "I’m leaning pretty heavy towards ... not going out there anymore"
U.S. Ski Team head coach Sasha Rearick said, "He's bummed, but he has the ability to move forward better than anyone I've ever met. He's going to be okay."
Attendance during the opening week of the championships has been excellent with enthusiastic fans packing Red Tail Stadium and surrounding finish areas.
After five of 11 races, Austria leads the medal count with four medals, including three gold. The United States and Switzerland each have three medals and Slovenia has two.
The ladies’ super combined is on the schedule for Monday.
Written and reported by Brian Pinelli in Vail/Beaver Creek
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