The first FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships in Germany will take place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen from 1st-7th March 2009. 350 young alpine ski racers, born 1989-1993, from some 40 nations will be competing for medals in downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom and a combined which is a tally of the results in GS, SL and DH.
Several of the participating athletes have even already made their mark on the World Cup circuit. Names such as Lara Gut (SUI), Anna Fenninger (AUT), Tessa Worley (FRA), Marcel Hirscher (AUT), Tina Weirather (LIE) and Viktoria Rebensburg (GER), who will be defending three medals from the 2008 championships in Formigal (SPA), are well known from this season's results list at the highest level.
The Junior Worlds have a special importance as one of the major milestones onto the way to the 2011 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The races will be carried out on the courses remodeled for the 2011 event, the slaloms on the Gudiberg, and the other events on the legendary Kandahar. Entry is free and the organizers look forward to great crowds to cheer on the young stars. Walter Vogel, managing director of the event organization commented: "We would like to provide the young athletes a memorable (or unforgettable) time in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and motivate them to continue on their way towards the international elite." Peter Fischer, head of the organizing committee added: "Garmisch-Partenkirchen will provide the youngsters with a proper stage, appropriate for World Championships, to present themselves. The spectators will surely be impressed by the level of their performances."
The opening ceremony will take place on 1st March on the Mohrenplatz, the day of the first competition, the ladies' slalom.
