The 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in La Molina, Spain came
to a close on Wednesday (27 February) with the completion of the ski
cross team event. Over the last eight days, 120 athletes from 28
countries competed in 30 medal events. For the second successive
Championships France topped the medals table with 12 medals made up of
seven gold, two silver and three bronze. Wednesday's team event, was a
non-medal event, and featured fast-paced ski cross for the first time,
much to the delight of spectators. Austria took first place, from USA
and France in second and third. In her speech at last night's closing
ceremony, Sylvana Mestre, the Chair of the IPC Alpine Skiing Sport
Technical Committee heaped praised on the outstanding commitment of
event organisers, volunteers and athletes. "This event has combined
exceptional planning and hard work from the Organising Committee with
incredible performances from athletes and guides on an elite level,"
said Mestre. "Around 120 athletes from 28 different countries proved
their strength with some sensational finishes on the slopes of
Catalunya." Amongst the top performers in La Molina was France's Marie
Bochet, who was victorious in all five individual events she competed
in. A number of skiers also won three gold medals including Spain's Jon
Santacana (guide Miguel Galindo Garces), Russia's Alexandra Frantseva
(guide Pavel Zabotin), Austria's Claudia Loesch and Japan's Taiki
Morii. Mestre was keen however not just to acknowledge those athletes
who had won medals, but all athletes, and said she was excited about
what lay ahead. Sylvana Mestre said: "For many of you, this is a step
that continues your training for future competitions. For others, this
was your first experience of a World Championships. Either way, I hope
you have reached your goal of success here in La Molina. "I can
confidently say that when we all meet again at the Sochi 2014
Paralympic Winter Games, what we will see will inspire and excite the
world, helping to fulfil the IPC's vision. At the closing ceremony
Mestre also announced that the Panorama resort in Invermere, Canada
will host the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships. For more
information on the 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships,
including race highlights and results, please visit:
www.ipcalpineskiingworlds.org