June 27, 2015 (Park City, UT) – The International Ski Federation (FIS) has awarded the 2017 FIS Nordic Junior World Championships and FIS U23 World Cross Country Championships to Utah s Olympic venues in Park City and Midway. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association put forward the joint bid with the Utah Olympic Park and Solider Hollow, both of which will host events throughout the championships.

Katherine Ogden (#10) finished 6th in the 5/5K Skiathlon at the 2015 Nordic Junior World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan to tie the best distance result for a U.S. junior skier since 2002. © USSA

Bringing the nordic Junior Worlds to the United States for the first time since 1986 is a great opportunity to showcase the sports and watch our American athletes compete on the global stage,  said USSA Vice President, Events Calum Clark.  The USSA is looking forward to working with the Utah Olympic Legacy and Solider Hollow Olympic Legacy Foundations to host the world-class athletes competing in these events. 

The Junior Worlds is traditionally run over a week period, with events in cross country, ski jumping and nordic combined. Athletes range in age from 16 to 20 years old and compete in 17 events across the disciplines. The U23 World Cross Championships include three additional cross country events for both men and women ages 21 to 23.

The Utah Olympic Park in Park City and Soldier Hollow in Midway have a long history of hosting international and domestic competitions, including the nordic events for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Both facilities play a key role in supporting and engaging with athletes at all levels.

There is already a great deal of excitement building in the nordic skiing community worldwide and across the United States for the 2017 Nordic Junior World Championships,  said Richard Hodges, Executive Director at Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation.  The opportunity to watch our nordic athletes compete at a World Championship event inside the United States should not be missed. 

The Junior Worlds has been held only once previously in America, on the Olympic venues of Lake Placid in 1986. It s the first time in the USA for the U23 Championships.

Highlights

– The 2017 FIS Nordic Junior World Championships have been awarded to Utah s Olympic venues as the Utah Olympic Park in Park City and Soldier Hollow in Midway.
– The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association put forward the joint bid with the Utah Olympic Park and Solider Hollow.
– Traditionally held at the beginning of February, the Junior Worlds bring in over 400 athletes from 30 nations to compete in 17 events across the three disciplines.
– The Junior Worlds were last held in America at Lake Placid in 1986.

Quotes

Calum Clark, Vice President, Events, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association
Bringing the nordic Junior Worlds to the United States for the first time since 1986 is a great opportunity to showcase the sports and watch our American athletes compete on the global stage. The USSA is looking forward to working with the Utah Olympic Legacy and Solider Hollow Olympic Legacy Foundations to host the world-class athletes competing in these events.

Richard Hodges, Executive Director, Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation
We are thrilled to be continuing our long partnership with the USSA and Utah Olympic Park and to bring another high-level international competition to our communities. There is already a great deal of excitement building in the nordic skiing community worldwide and across the United States for the 2017 Nordic Junior World Championships. The opportunity to watch our nordic athletes compete at a World Championship event inside the United States should not be missed

Colin Hilton, President and CEO, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation
Hosting the 2017 Nordic Junior World Championships is yet another example of Utah s successful utilization of its Olympic venues. Soldier Hollow and Utah Olympic Park are ideal venues for accommodating and showcasing these types of events, which draw a large number of participants and spectators.

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