GSF Talks about Two World Championships and Many Challenges Coming to Georgia's Winter Resorts
Interview with the president of Georgian Ski Federation, Zurab Kostava.
2023 – Bakuriani Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championship
Bakuriani will host the 2023 World Ski Championship. Tell us about the ongoing preparatory works. What has changed and what challenges have you faced during this period?
-We obtained the status of a host country in 2018. Together with the Ski Resorts Development Company, we undertook complex preparatory works immediately. We have implemented very important infrastructural projects, bought special equipment. In October 2020, four (4) new cableways were arranged in Bakuriani. At this stage, we are building tracks that will be covered by artificial snow for the World Tournaments in Ski Cross and Snowboard Cross scheduled for February and March.
The pandemic has brought many challenges, mainly in terms of logistics. Our Federation conducts domestic tournaments every year at all ski resorts of Georgia. These tournaments are of crucial importance for Georgian athletes. This year we had to cancel this event.
Regretfully, Georgian athletes could not leave abroad in 2021 and gain rating scores. Many other countries have not conducted tournaments either. Under our obligations, before the World Championship, the World Cup stages must be held in Georgia in various disciplines. We have fulfilled this obligation successfully so far. Over the past three years, the World Cup stages were held in Bakuriani and Gudauri and we have deserved very positive appraisals from representatives of the International Ski Federation. I hope, based on the special COVID protocol prepared by foreign colleagues, in 2021, we will host athletes from all over the world at the highest level.
What benefits can Georgia reap by hosting similar championships and tournaments?
- Hosting the World Ski Cross Championship is a huge complex achievement for Georgia in terms of our sport, its development and popularization, and Georgia’s development, in general. For many years, Silknet company provides full support to the Georgian Ski Federation. Thanks to the Silknet support, we have essentially improved the ski sports and our federation’s performance, in general.
It is a very important fact that the International Ski Federation, the world’s most prestigious and influential institution confirms its trust in the country of Georgia and the Georgian Ski Federation. This is a huge responsibility. By hosting this event, our country will move to an entirely new level and make a very loud statement in the world. This signifies that we become a plenipotentiary member of the family of this sport. Our country and its ski resorts, in practice, comply with Austria, Switzerland, and all other countries, where the highest-level championship is held. We are happy that together with the Economy Ministry and Silknet, our Federation has also contributed to this great project.
What changes are expected to take place at Georgia’s second ski resort? Do you plan to hold the Championship in Gudauri?
-Such decisions are taken by the International Ski Federation (FIS). Consequently, the location for the championship will be selected by the Federation. We have applied for conducting the tournaments in Bakuriani and Gudauri and we reaffirm our readiness to hold the pre-championship tournaments in Gudauri too, but everything depends on the final decision of FIS.
The 2025 European Winter Youth Olympic Festival
Tell us about the European Winter Youth Olympic Festival. How was Bakuriani selected?
- Bakuriani has made significant progress over the past few years. This progress will become more evident in 2023 when this resort will comply with all international standards and requirements. Based on all achievements, Bakuriani was selected for conducting the Festival, as a new and attractive ski resort. At this stage, many details should be specified, but it is clear that this international event will more popularize our country. The Festival will be also important for the development of many other winter sports because the applicable standards will be useful for both athletes and the country and domestic population.
What investments are required for the 2023-2025 tournaments and how will Bakuriani transform in these years?
-Since snow and climate challenges are recorded worldwide, all resorts use artificial snowing technology. This component was integrated into the 2017 ski resorts development plan of Georgia. The document was prepared for the 2023 Championship. Last year significant investments were made in this direction. Water supply problems existed in Bakuriani. Therefore, in 2020 the Economy Ministry carried out a very important project and water supply problems were resolved in the resort. We have bought cutting-edge equipment. Two new five-star hotels will be built in the resort by 2023. Road infrastructure will be arranged, parking zones will be added and overall comfort will be provided.