October 19, 2013 – With just under 500 days left until the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2015 in Falun, Sweden, the Coordination Group met on 10th and 11th October 2013 with an eye on the upcoming test season which will see Falun host four major international events, including the Viessmann FIS World Cup Finals including all Nordic disciplines on March 14-16, 2014.

Under the motto ‘Beyond all Expectations’, the Falun 2015 Organising Committee showed that they are committed to living up to their tagline as they are not only on track for the World Championships, but exceeding expectations at this stage in the preparations in several areas.

“It was definitely a positive meeting from all sides,” said FIS General Secretary Sarah Lewis. “Falun is going the extra mile to ensure that they will be well-organised and memorable World Championships with a lasting legacy for the region. The progress on the re-construction of the ski jumping facilityand their promotional efforts are particularly impressive.”

The Falun 2015 Organising Committee, joined by representatives of FIS, the EBU and its marketing partner Tridem Sports, Host Broadcaster SVT, along with the City of Falun’s project management made a site inspection of the newly-renovated Lugnet Ski Jumping hills, which are on schedule to open in November of this year. From the Ski Jumping hills, parts of the Cross-Country courses, which should be ready in December, could also be viewed.

Sven von Holst, CEO for the Falun 2015 Organising Committee said, “We are looking forward to the winter and the test events. It will be a good indicator of where we are and what work still needs to be done so we are 100 percent ready for the world in February 2015.”

Falun reported major progress in several areas. To date 1,100 volunteers have registered their interest to help at the World Championships and several of those individuals will be used this upcoming season at the test events. In addition, more than 400 local companies have signed up to join the World Championship partner programme titled ‘Beyond Skiing.’ Details such as the schedule, environmental plan and ticketing strategy are also in the final stages of confirmation.

Sandro Pertile, a key figure in the Organising Committee for the Val di Fiemme World Championships in 2003 and 2013, has been appointed as the Ski Jumping Advisor for the Falun 2015 World Championships. As former Ski Jumping Sport Manager for the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games and one of the top Ski Jumping TDs for FIS, his expertise has proven to be beneficial in the reconstruction of the Ski Jumping hills and in planning the general infrastructure for Ski Jumping at the World Championships in Falun.

To prepare for the World Championships, Falun will host four FIS events in 2014 with a heavy emphasis on Nordic Combined and Ski Jumping events. There are two Continental Cup competitions scheduled in addition to a World Cup event on 26th February 2014 followed by the World Cup Finals in mid-March.

In the end of October 2013, information will be sent out to teams and media for pre-registration for accommodation for the World Championships. Falun has already started promoting the World Championships throughout Scandinavia with various campaigns, including branding a travelling truck that will visit numerous events to build excitement about the World Championships. Ticket sales are scheduled to start at the beginning of 2014, in time for the two FIS World Cup events.