May 24, 2012 (Québec City, QC) – In Québec City for the SportAccord Convention, the president of Fédération internationale de ski (FIS), Gian Franco Kasper, took time out to unveil the official course for Sprint Québec 2012/FIS Cross Country World Cup along with Pierre Karl Péladeau, Quebecor president and CEO.

Kasper also looked ahead to preparations for the FIS Snowboard World Championships in 2013: “It is two firsts for the province of Québec: the first senior FIS World Championships in any discipline and a first FIS Cross Country World Cup in the heart of any city in America.”

The World’s Top Athletes in Québec City
From January 16 to 27, 2013, top snowboarders from all over the world will descend on downtown Québec City and Stoneham to take part in the World Championships in any of six disciplines: Halfpipe, Snowboardcross, Parallel Giant Slalom, Slopestyle, Big Air, and Parallel Slalom. In all, over 75,000 visitors are expected for this unparalleled event!

A World Cup in the City
Sprint Québec 2012/FIS Cross Country World Cup presented by Quebecor will kick off the season, giving visitors and locals a foretaste of the winter months to come as skiers from close to 25 countries race around an 800-meters track just a snowball’s throw from the Québec Parliament. Set to the spectacular backdrop of one of the world’s most beautiful destinations, it will give visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the international elite. “It will be a great opportunity for the public to watch the cross country ski racing up close and to encourage our Canadian World and Olympic champion athletes,” says Jim McCarthy, president of Cross Country Canada.

A New and Improved Course
After witnessing a World Cup stage in Düsseldorf, Germany, GESTEV president Patrice Drouin settled on a similar European-style formula for Québec City. “I found the format very interesting and so we decided to take another look at the Québec City course and to work on a new vision as a group,” he explains. “It promises to be even more spectacular for the public!” According to Drouin, the new official course will bring spectators even closer to the action, with athletes going round the course twice in both individual and team sprints.

About Gestev
Tasked by Corporation coupe du Monde de surf des neiges de Québec with putting on Sprint Québec 2012/FIS Cross Country World Cup and the FIS Snowboard World Championships, GESTEV is a dynamic event management company that has specialized in sports and cultural events in the Québec City area since 1992. Snowboard Jamboree, Red Bull Crashed Ice, and Vélirium are just a few Gestev events. Gestev also manages Baie de Beauport. Gestev is a certified responsible event manager (BNQ 9700-253).