Vail Daily column: The dream will soon be real
Early on in the process of building the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, we created the theme of “Dream It. Live It. Share It.” For the first 1,500 days, we’ve been dreaming it, wondering what our championships should be like, look like and feel like.
What did we want the world to see of our dream, our community and our sport? We’ve developed that dream with all of you. So many in this community and state have been engaged in the process of helping to dream what the 2015 World Championships will be.
With just over 60 days to go, the dreaming process is over. The plans have been made and are now in place. As the 2014-15 World Cup season kicked off last month, so did the living phase of our championships. We are now in the season of the dream — so let’s live it!
Having recently returned from the opening World Cup races in Soelden, I can tell you that the ski world is very much looking forward to our championships. Everyone is extremely excited and sure that Vail/Beaver Creek 2015 will be the best World Championships ever. The world is ready for 2015. Are you?
While it has been four years of planning, building and preparing since Vail and Beaver Creek won the right to host these championships, the coming two months, not to mention the two weeks of the event, will fly by. We all need to ensure that we make the most of this precious time.
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The athletes are well aware that this is an opportunity that they need to capitalize on, especially the members of the U.S. Ski Team. While they relish being able to compete in a World Championships at home, they also know that it will be a number of years before this chance may come around again. They have vowed to make this time count.
Best Foot Forward
The “15ers” volunteer corps has committed their time and talents to these championships in an effort to help us put our best foot forward and welcome the world. A lifetime worth of memories and new acquaintances will be the reward for their time and dedication.
The media and broadcasters are ready to help us tell all of the great stories that will unfold over the course of the two weeks, both on and off the racecourses. In addition, they will also serve as the vehicle for bringing hundreds of millions of viewers the sights, sounds and emotions of our wonderful valley.
Our collective dream of the 2015 World Championships will soon be very real. The days are flying by and Feb. 2 will be here before you know it. Thank you to everyone who has not only allowed us to dream these championships, but also to those that have helped us build that dream.
Living Our Championships
I encourage you to find your own way of now beginning the process of living these World Championships. Help us rehearse for the championships by coming out to the Birds of Prey World Cup races where we’ll get one final chance to test our systems and plans.
The larger the crowd for Birds of Prey, the better sense we’ll have of what’s working and what’s now. In addition, these World Cup races will be the first the world sees of our new stadium. Let’s show everyone how important ski racing is to our community by packing the stadium with an energetic and excited crowd.
Let’s start living our Championships at our World Cup. The coming three months is our special moment in time and we will measure ourselves by what we are able to accomplish and experience.
This is your time. I hope you will make it count for you.
Ceil Folz is president of the Vail Valley Foundation and president of the 2015 World Championships Organizing Committee. The 2015 World Championships are scheduled from Feb. 2-15.
