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FIS - One month to go ! The 7th FIS Snowboard World Championships

Thursday, 14 December 2006

One month to go: Arosa 2007

The 7th FIS Snowboard World Championships will kick off in Arosa (SUI) in exactly one month's time, on Saturday 13th January, with the qualification runs for snowboardcross. The SBX finals will be held on 14th January, while the finals for the parallel events will take place on 16th (parallel giant slalom) and 17th (parallel slalom) and the finals for the freestylers on Friday, 19th (big air) and Saturday, 20th January (half-pipe).

This is the first time that the FIS Snowboard Championships have been hosted in Switzerland. Situated at 1800m altitude in the Schanfigg valley, in canton of Grisons, where the highest peaks reach over 2800m above sea level, Arosa and its infrastructure servicing more than 70km of terrain is a perfect host resort. As a snowboard event host, Arosa is no newcomer since it has staged three NOKIA FIS World Cup stops including the finals in 2003. What's more, the set-up for the activity is ideal from the spectators' perspective as everything will take place within just a few hundred meters. In the finish area at the bottom of the snowboardcross, giant slalom and slalom courses, there will be a big screen for the spectators to catch all the action as the athletes come down the course. Just a stone's throw away is the big air finish area where spectators can admire the competitors as they try to best each other with aerial acrobatics.

Thomas Gurzeler, President of the Organizing Committee, notes: “We have taken every precaution to ensure that the FIS 2007 Snowboard World Championships will be a memorable experience for both spectators and athletes alike. Recently we had some concern about the encroaching Föhn, but the weather seems to have shifted and we are back on track for more favorable competition conditions. With one month to go, we are on schedule and are looking forward to hosting the snowboarding elite from around the world for the World Championships."

In addition to sporting performances, the OC is planning a festival in the town of Arosa with live music every night and other activities as of 10th January. The entire village is bound to rock for a minimum of ten days!

How to get there: Arosa is easily accessible via the Zurich international airport, and from there by car or train. By car get on the A3 towards Sihlholzbrucke and then take Exit 16 towards Chur-Nord/Arosa. From there, follow the signs to Arosa up the winding road for approximately 30km. By train take the intercity train to Chur and then change to the Rhaetian railway to Arosa (approx. 60 minutes).

The reigning 2005 World Champions from Whistler (CAN)

Men
PGS: Jasey Jay Anderson (CAN)
PSL: Jasey Jay Anderson (CAN)
HP: Antti Autti (FIN)
SBX: Seth Wescott (USA)
BA: Antti Autti (FIN)

Ladies
PGS: Manuela Riegler (AUT)
PSL: Daniela Meuli (SUI)
HP: Doriane Vidal (FRA)
SBX: Lindsey Jacobellis (USA)