FIS representatives spent two days in Almaty last week on 7^th – 9^th July. Ladies’ Ski Jumping Race Director Chika Yoshida, Nordic Combined Continental Cup Coordinator Toni Guggemoos and Cross-Country Media & Project Coordinator Michal Lamplot inspected the Cross-Country and Ski Jumping competition sites, whilst the Organising Committee presented an update on preparations for the Junior World Championships and plans for the upcoming months.

Jumping hills in Almaty © FIS

Ski Jumping travelled to Almaty for the first time in 2010 and since then the venue has been tested several times during the FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix, Continental Cups and the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup, which took place in Almaty in 2012 and 2013.

The Cross-Country venue is under construction and by autumn, when all the work will be done, it will feature 5.0 km classic and 2.5 km free technique loops, parts of which will be paved with asphalt and equipped with floodlighting.

The FIS inspection group covered all the aspects of the Championships, ranging from the competition programme, registration, accommodation and logistics to side events and ceremonies.

“The inspection was successful and we are on the right track. Organisers of Almaty are very motivated, cooperative and enthusiastic about the World Championships. We are sure we will once again see a great and successful event,” Yoshida said.

Close cooperation will continue during the next months and another coordination meeting will take place during the annual FIS Technical Committee Meetings in Zurich (SUI) in early October 2014.

The FIS Junior and U23 World Championships in Almaty (KAZ) will be held from 1^st – 8^th February 2015.