Georgia to host 2023 Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships

It marks the first time in the history of the FIS that Georgia will host a World Championship. Photo: FIS.
Agenda.ge, 18 May 2018 - 11:33, Tbilisi,Georgia

It's official! Georgia’s ski resorts of Bakuriani and Gudauri will host the 2023 Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships.

This marks the first time in the history of the International Ski Federation (FIS) that Georgia will host the World Championship and with more than 25 medal events planned, it is sure to be quite the event.

Electing Georgia as the host of the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships shows the far reach and global appeal of the sport. These are our youngest disciplines, so it seems only fitting that a new, enthusiastic host nation steps in to welcome the World Championships”, said FIS President Gian Franco Kasper, who last night announced Georgia as the host country at the FIS Congress 2018 at Costa Navarino in Greece.

Georgia’s Minister of Culture and Sports Mikheil Giorgadze also attended the ceremony where he delivered his speech and thanked everyone for electing Georgia as the host country.

I cannot even tell you how happy and proud I am of my country. I believe this is a great opportunity for Georgia to further develop winter sports that seems natural for a country whose territory is comprised of 70 percent mountains. At the same time we do realise what the responsibility it is and let me assure you we will make it happen according to the highest international standards”, Giorgadze said.
This is a very important decision, which will promote the development of Georgian winter sports, the development of modern infrastructure. Georgia is moving into the highest league and we will appear on the world map of winter tourism. This is a significant decision and once again I congratulate you on this very important event", said Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. 

Georgia’s aspiration to host the 2023 Championship was conveyed to FIS President Gian Franco Kasper by Kvirikashvili during their meeting in St. Moritz in February 2017.

Kvirikashvili provided Kasper with detailed information about the Georgian government’s steps toward the development of alpine resorts and winter sports, including implemented and ongoing far-reaching infrastructural projects and investments.

In April 2017, the Georgian Ski Federation put forward the country’s formal bid to host the World Championship, followed by Kvirikashvili hosting FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis and her delegation in Georgia.

FIS Freestyle Skiing Coordinator Joseph Fitzgerald, together with the delegation, familiarised himself with the country’s alpine potential and opportunities on the ground, and the FIS commended the Georgian government’s steps toward the development of alpine resorts and winter sports.

To inspect the relevant infrastructure for the World Championship, the FIS Group of Experts visited the country repeatedly before making a final decision.

Hosting the 2023 World Championship in Bakuriani and Gudauri, Georgia is a most important athletic event that will play a vital role in the development of winter sports, the Georgian authorities believe.