Garmisch-Partenkirchen's mayor speaks out against renewed application for the World Ski Championships

Created: 06/17/2022, 2:30 p.m

At the SKI World Championships 2011 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (from left): Markus Wasmeier, Siegfried Schneider with his wife, Elisabeth Koch.

© FOTOPRESS THOMAS VERY

The defeat was clear and left German bidders for the 2027 Alpine World Ski Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen frustrated.

The disappointment of the campaigners was huge: Three weeks ago, Garmisch-Partenkirchen failed in its application to get the Alpine Ski World Championships 2027.

There was only one vote for the Werdenfelser at the FIS Congress, their own from Germany.

The title fights will take place in Switzerland in five years.

Two years after failing to bid for the World Championships, Crans-Montana was successful this time: for the second time since 1987, gold, silver and bronze will be contested on the Valais high plateau.

This time, the Swiss candidacy clearly prevailed with 11 votes - ahead of Soldeu in Andorra, Narvik in Norway (each with 3 votes) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. 

When applying for the 2025 games, the Werdenfelsers had gone away empty-handed.

These take place in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.

In the vote two years ago, the Austrians received 12 out of 14 votes, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Crans-Montana each one vote.

The First Mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Elisabeth Koch, has now emphasized that she is against a renewed application for 2029.

She criticizes that Garmisch-Partenkirchen is not valued as a reliable partner by the FIS, the international ski association.

The well thought-out World Cup concept, which protected the sensitive environment and used the existing infrastructure, was not appreciated either.

Because the sports facilities are there, the sustainability would be given.

Koch said that in the event of a possible renewed application, she wanted to let the population decide as part of a citizens' initiative.

The German Ski Association will nevertheless host a World Cup in the near future: Oberstdorf has been formally confirmed as the host of the Ski Flying World Cup 2026.