2025 Virtus World Alpine Championships Kicks Off At Tignes, France
The 2025 Virtus World Alpine Championships kicked off in Tignes this evening. Organized by Virtus member in France, Fédération Française du Sport Adapté, the event will be taking place in Lognan Stadium (FIS approved) which is located in Tignes Val Claret and is served by the Tichot and Grattalu chairlifts.
Elite skiers from eleven countries—Austria, Australia, Bulgaria, France, Finland, Japan, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, USA, and Neutral athletes—will compete across Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, and Combined Super-G and Slalom events for the next four days to fight for their place on the podium.
Local band playing marching tune at the opening ceremony of Tignes 2025. Photo Credit: Geoffrey Wahlen/FFSA
The athletes paraded through the city to Tignespace, where the opening ceremony was held. The atmosphere at Tignes was brightened up by their local band, who made the athletes and every attendee dance to their charming music.
Joining the athletes at the opening ceremony was Sandrine Chaix, representing the President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, Fabrice Panneckouke, Ian Conners, Virtus Governing Board member, Marc Truffaut, President of the French Federation of Adapted Sport and Virtus, Serge Revial, Mayor of Tignes, Olivier DUCH, First Deputy Mayor-President of SAGEST Tignes Développement and other dignitaries from the region.
Olivier DUCH, First Deputy Mayor of Tignes, expressed pride in hosting the 2025 Virtus World Championships for adapted para skiing. He highlighted Tignes’ commitment to inclusivity and its dedication to supporting athletes with disabilities.
He thanked organizers for their collaboration and emphasized the event’s role in promoting adapted sports on a global stage. Wishing athletes success, he encouraged them to embrace competition with a spirit of sharing and solidarity, making the championship truly memorable.
(L-R) Host of the event, Ian Conyers, Virtus Governing Board member, a representative from FFSA, Olivier DUCH, First Deputy Mayor-President of SAGEST Tignes Développement and Sandrine Chaix, representing the President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. Photo Credit: FFSA
“Just a few weeks ago, we hosted our Nordic championships in Bessans, a wonderful occasion. We are thrilled to be skiing on official FIS courses, showing that our athletes are up for any task and any challenge at all levels. It will not be long until we have rejoined the Winter Paralympics,” says Virtus governing board member Ian Conyers.
Addressing the athletes, Sandrine Chaix, representing the President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, Fabrice Panneckouke, expressed her hopes of seeing the athletes with an intellectual impairment at the 2030 Winer Paralympic Games.
“This championship is of particular importance because it is a unique opportunity to show national and international authorities that adapted sport skiers are skiers in their own right, whose performance deserves our attention and our pride. In front of me, I don’t see any athletes with disabilities, but passionate athletes.”
“I sincerely hope that the International Ski Federation, the International Paralympic Committee, the Organising Committee for the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the French Government and all the stakeholders of the 2030 Alpine Games will act towards the integration of adapted sport into this new Olympiad in France,” she further added.
After four days of exciting competitions, the event will conclude on 4th April.
More information can be found on the competition website.
