INTERNATIONAL SKI FEDERATION Blochstrasse 2 3653 Oberhofen/Thunersee Switzerland Tel +41 33 244 61 61 Fax +41 33 244 61 71 Are, Sweden 18.02.2019 FOR MORE INFORMATION Jenny Wiedeke FIS Communications Manager Mobile: + 41 79 449 53 99 E-Mail: [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FIS MEDIA INFO FIS Alpine World Ski Championships close in Are (SWE) After thirteen days of top level sports action, the 2019 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Are (SWE) closed on Sunday, 17th February. During the 11 competitions, many nations had a chance to shine. Altogether, 10 nations won medals as Switzerland and Norway tied for the top spot with two golds, one silver and one bronze medal each. The United States also took home four medals with two gold medals and two bronze. This edition of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship included several superlatives. It was the quickest turnaround time of 12 years between hosting World Championships. Additionally, it was the most sustainable FIS World Championships ever staged with full ISO Certification and dozens of actions in place, including exclusively using Audi Etron electric cars for transportation. Naturally, there were several engaging storylines, but none was as captivating as saying goodbye to two of the biggest stars in Alpine Skiing as both Lindsey Vonn (USA) and Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR) celebrated fairy tale finishes to their storied careers in Are. Svindal took the downhill silver medal in his last career race, while Vonn also medalled in her career finale, earning bronze in the ladies’ downhill. The competitive field made it difficult to earn multiple medals at these World Championships. Still four athletes managed the feat. Two ladies, Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) and Wendy Holdener (SUI) earned two gold medals each, with Shiffrin winning the super-G and slalom, while Holdener was golden in the alpine combined and nation’s team event. Marco Schwarz (AUT) took home the most medals with two bronze and one silver medal in slalom, alpine combined and nation’s team event, respectively. Marcel Hirscher became the all-time top winner in FIS Alpine World Ski Championship history with his gold and silver performances in the slalom and giant slalom. Hirscher now has seven golds and four silver medals, putting him atop the medal standings, but he still one shy in terms of total medals. Kjetil Andre Aamodt (NOR) holds that record with 12 medals (5G, 4S, 3B). The Are Local Organising committee persevered through challenging weather conditions as participants were greeted by minus 20 degree temperatures in the first week, which turned into stormy rain with high winds in plus-temperatures in the second week. The Are 2019 team worked tirelessly to manage the widely varying conditions in order for the programme to stay on schedule. FIS President Gian Franco Kasper said about the Championships: "The Are 2019 Organisers had a lot of adverse weather conditions and challenges to overcome and it is a testament to them that I can sit here today and declare these World Championships a complete success. I believe everyone who experienced these World Championships will carry fond memories from Are for many years to come.” CEO of the Are Organising Committee Niklas Carlsson said, "We are proud of all that we have accomplished with the World Championships. Our goal was to inspire the world to ski and indeed we delivered fantastic races to a global audience and many memorable moments that I hope ignites people’s interest in our sport.” Facts and Figures · 102,000 attendance at the races · 34,000 attendance at the medal plaza · 75 nations (a new record) · 471 athletes: 177 ladies, 294 men · 1’320’000 Swiss francs in prize money · 915 officials · 1439 volunteers from 38 countries The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2021 will be held in Cortina (ITA) from 8 th to 21 st February. * * * About FIS FIS is the governing body for international skiing and snowboarding, founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIS manages the Olympic disciplines of Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding, including setting the international competition rules. Through its 131 member nations, more than 7’500 FIS ski and snowboard competitions are staged annually. Specific initiatives are undertaken by FIS to promote snow activities as a healthy leisure recreation, notably for the young. For more information, please visit www.fis-ski.com * * * .