After the great weekend lived on the 27th and 28th February, the balance of the Grandvalira World Cup 2016 has been very positive. The event slogan, "The World Cup is here," has been accomplished and the two races (Super-G and Alpine Combined) could be run thanks to the great organizational skills, even in difficult weather conditions and demonstrating its resilience to face complex adversities.
Authorities, sponsors, suppliers, volunteers and a very dedicated citizenship put once again Grandvalira-Soldeu El Tarter and Andorra on the map at the highest level of international alpine skiing.
The final press conference took place on Monday morning the 29th of February at the Nordic El Tarter Hotel. The session started with the speech by Mr. Abert Coma, President of the Andorran Federation of Skiing (FAE), who talked about the role of Andorran skiers: "We have had three representatives in this World Cup and although they are now at European Cup level, they have shown they have potential to go far. We have to keep working because our goal is that at least two Andorran skiers participate at the 2019 finals ".
For his part, Jordi Pujol, director, race director, has made an exciting account of everything lived on the slopes during the weekend. "It has been a very hard and intense weekend. We have a bittersweet feeling because we are very satisfied with the incredible work done by the resort staff and volunteers who have worked their fingers to the bone to be able to play the competitions, but also a bit disappointed because before snowfalls the track was already perfect thanks to the great work done in recent weeks ".
And he explained one of the many anecdotes of the two days of competition: "On Sunday there was a crisis because it seemed that the race could not be played due to the weather situation, but among the technical staff, the organization and others who joined us, there were 300 people willing to carry it forward. The Swiss coach saw it and said that the competition should go on. This opinion was shared by the FIS responsible in Grandvalira, Markus Mayr, who said that the slope was ready and then, the other coaches spontaneously clapped the entire team for its immense efforts ".
Conrad Blanch, the World Cup director general, has contributed with the most relevant World Cup data after thanking once again the involvement of all teams in the organization who made it possible the two World Cup races. "We have reached the top, it is a privilege to lead teams like these ones. Special mention for the volunteers who once again have involved in Grandvalira and Andorra forming a blue tide of illusion.
The data provided showed that, indeed, Andorra keeps on the world white map and expectations are ever increasing:
· Teams: 74 skiers from 20 countries.
· Resort technical staff: 100 people.
· Volunteers: 190 on the track and 90 off track.
· Audience: 10.000 people on the track, 1.400 on Friday at the opening ceremony, 1.200 at public raffle of numbers.
· Preventing Safety staff: 55 Prevention and safety and 38 healthcare units. In addition, 56 units for the B Plan (adverse meteorological conditions).
· VIPs: 900.
· Total accredited people: 1,697 people.
· Total communication professionals: 192 accredited
-
Print media and news agencies: 45 contacts.
-
Radio: 5 media
-
Photographers: 38 professionals (media, agencies and freelance)
-
TV professionals: 104 (10 channels)
-
TVs: 15 Live channels and 35 channels with deferred broadcasting rights.
On this regard, Blanch thanked the TV Andorra coverage which broadcasted the message of the World Cup throughout the country.
He has also stressed that the medical service has worked perfectly when, unfortunately had to intervene on track when the US skier Lindsey Vonn felt during the Super-G on Saturday 27 February.
The session has been closed by the Minister of Tourism and Commerce of the Andorra Government, Mr. Francesc Camp, who started his speech congratulating Grandvalira and the World Cup organization to overcome difficulties and celebrate the two planned races "Thanks to the professionalism of all the involved teams a very good image of Andorra has been given: from the point of view of TV audiences with sports scores as podiums are consolidated in countries such as France and Switzerland; and to the International Ski Federation (FIS) and as self-esteem message to Andorra because once again has been shown that the country throws itself into these high-level sports events. This weekend, more than ever, skiing has been the national sport in Andorra".