June 26, 2011 (Erzurum, Turkey) – Preparations well on their way for Erzurum 2012 at the East Anatolian city will host the first FIS World Ski Championships in Turkey next year. Both Ski Jumping and Cross-Country Skiing facilities have already seen a major international event last year as they hosted the Winter Universiade.FIS representatives spent three days in Erzurum last week from June 14-16.

FIS Nordic Combined Race Director Uli Wehling, with Horst Tielmann responsible for Ski Jumping and Michal Lamplot for Cross-Country Skiing inspected both the competition sites and the possible accommodation facilities for teams. The Organizing Committee presented the state of preparations for the Junior World Championships and their plans for upcoming months.
The Ski Jumping venue is situated not far away from the city center of Erzurum, close to the university campus and boasts great infrastructure.

A well-equipped fitness center with sauna will provide the ski jumpers and Nordic Combined athletes with good training and racing conditions. “The wax cabins on the top of the hill will provide perfect working conditions for the teams,” noted FIS Coordinator for Ski Jumping Continental Cup, Horst Tielmann.

At the altitude of 1995 meters, there are two jumping hills that will host the competitions for the junior world champion titles in 2012, the normal hill K95 and large hill K125.

The cross-country competition site in Kandilli is situated 37 km away from the city of Erzurum. It was built in an area of 160 hectares on the grounds of a former Turkish military base. The Kandilli Nordic Center consists of Cross-Country and Biathlon venues with a gym as well as medical and recreational facilities. Seven different laps are located at the altitude of 1700 meters.
The FIS Junior Nordic World Ski and U23 Cross-Country World Championships in Erzurum will be held from 19th-26th February 2012.

Before new junior champions are decorated, Erzurum will welcome ski jumpers for the Continental Cup events in September whilst Nordic Combined athletes will travel to Turkey for their Continental Cup in January 2012.
Contributed by Michal Lamplot