January 8 is a significant date for Cortina and the upcoming Ski World Championships (7-21 February), with only 30 days until the start of this much anticipated international event, organised in the shadow of a global pandemic.

The Queen of the Dolomites is ready to host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships and looks forward to welcoming the stars of Alpine Skiing to extraordinarily snow-covered landscapes this year.

During the fourteen-day event, ski champions coming from 70 countries will compete for the 13 titles: Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, Alpine Combined and, for the first time, Parallel Slalom.

Last week, on January 8, the slopes were illuminated, as a symbol of hope, while the final touches are made to accommodate 700 athletes and 3500 staff, and to bring a spectacular sport event to 500 million people around the world.

On the occasion of the 30-day-deadline, an agreement was signed at the Municipality of Cortina d’Ampezzo which will bring new life to the area and will leave an important legacy of improvements.

Vincenzo Spadafora, Minister for Youth Policies and Sport stated: „This much anticipated event is the result of a project delivered with determination and transparency, and is testimony to a country that has successfully risen to the challenge. Collaboration on part of the institutions and broad support from the government has been key to overcoming the difficulties and challenges brought by the global pandemic. It is a great economic driver and a unique opportunity for rebirth. After these difficult months due to the pandemic, we need to focus on the future and build projects that stand the test of time. The 2021 Cortina World Championships is one such project, because in addition to celebrate an important moment of sport, it also brings us one step closer to the 2026 Olympics.“

Alessandro Benetton, President of Fondazione Cortina 2021, highlighted: „We will demonstrate to the world that Italians are capable of delivering ambitious projects, respecting commitments and contributing an innovative organisational model that may inspire future international sports events, especially the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, which we hope will benefit from our work.“