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Summer inspections started, Jasna (SVK) is getting ready

Jul 24, 2020·Alpine Skiing
Vicepresident Slovak-Ski Association Marino Mersich, HB TV director Karel Jonák, Head of the OC Matej Hulej, Chief of race Jana Palovičová, Peter Gerdol(FIS), Giulia Candiago(FIS), Marcus Mayr(FIS), OC manager Peter Cibulka

One of the first summer inspections of the season has been in the Slovak resort of Jasna led by Women's Alpine Race Director Peter Gerdol. The delegation during its visit surveyed the readiness of organizers to present the Audi FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Jasna the 6th and 7th of March 2021 with a Giant Slalom and a Slalom races.

The discussion with the Slovak organizers touched different organizational points: the broadcasting and television production, marketing, and other sport matters not to mention the Covid-19 situation.

"We are delighted that the FIS representatives came here to Jasná. As we organized the World Cup in 2016, it was mainly about already tested matters, but we also took over the new challenges that await us because of the coronavirus pandemic. We already have experience from organizing an event of this level, but we do not want to decline in quality. We want to take the World Cup in Jasná to an even higher level. We have the basics, now we will integrate some corrections after the FIS inspection," said the head of the organizing committee Matej Hulej.

The FIS delegation was satisfied with the conditions in Jasná. "I know the local competition hill very well since I have been here in the past for the World Junior Championships or the European Cup. The hill is excellent, and we are satisfied with it. We are happy that the World Cup will be held in Jasná again after five years. We considered it very important to come here in person because the contact with the organizers is essential. We are particularly interested in issues related to the television broadcast, cameras positions, and we also pay attention to general security. Right after the track inspection, we had a meeting where we went deeper and talked about what the expectations from the upcoming season are. Several unanswered questions and uncertainties accompany it. We cannot tell what the situation will be in October or November, not talking about March, "said the Women's Alpine Race Director Peter Gerdol.

The sporting world was significantly affected by the coronavirus in past months "We have to oversee the situation. The pandemic made the job much more difficult for us, but we do not want to leave anything to chance, and we are preparing various possible scenarios for the organization of the World Cup. We would love to host the women's world ski top at the full direction with the spectators next to the track, but we need to keep in mind that there is a possibility of some restrictions. It will depend on how the situation will develop. We are fully aware of how the event may change because of coronavirus, "added Hulej.

News on the track

Chief of race Jana Palovičová is also satisfied with the site visit. "We are happy that we included so many people, and everything turned out fine. The FIS representatives are pleased, and that is important. The most challenging thing is to secure safety and cameras positions. We want the vivid transmission to show the difficulty and beauty of our track. We have more scenarios about the fans and also backup plans that will apply according to current coronavirus situation. All in all, we have a positive attitude, "said Palovičová.

New function of COVID-manager

In connection with mentioned circumstances, the hosts of the World Cup in Jasná have decided to include in the organizing committee an expert who will closely watch the situation around coronavirus and all matters connected with it." A COVID-manager will be a part of the organizing committee; he will communicate with authorities, FIS, and will watch the situation development from all sides. The core of the organizing committee consists of people who participated in the World Cup 2016 organization. Still, we are currently adding more people to the team, "said Head of Media and Communication Michaela Grendelová.

Release courtesy of SPRmedia