World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Alpine and Nordic Skiing Championships heading to ‘winter capital of Poland’

The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) has announced that the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Alpine and Nordic Skiing Championships will be held in Zakopane, Poland, from 27 February – 2 March.

Around 60 athletes from 10 countries are expected to compete at the Suche ski resort and on the trails of the CentralnyOsrodekSportuZakopane.

Known as the ‘winter capital of Poland’, Zakopane is located in the southernmost region of the country, near the border with Slovakia. It is the second time the city has hosted the Championships, following on from 2016.

Alpine skiing will feature slalom, giant slalom and super-G. Nordic skiers will compete in the cross-country sprint, short and long distance races as well as a 3×2.5km relay.

Zakopane 2018 is being organised by the ZSS Sprawni-Razem, the Polish Union of Sport Associations for People with Intellectual Impairments. Technical support will be provided by the Polish Skiing Federation.

Marc Truffaut, World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, said: “World Intellectual Impairment Sport is excited to work with the ZSS Sprawni-Razem once again on the biggest competition on the alpine and Nordic skiing calendar for athletes with intellectual impairments. Winter sports fans will get to enjoy the world’s best skiers competing in one of Europe’s best destinations.

“With the thrills and spills of alpine and the speed and endurance of cross-country, we expect a very entertaining Championships indeed.”

“We are pleased that for the second time we can host in Poland the best skiers with intellectual impairments,” said Dariusz Mosakowski, ZSS Sprawni-Razem President.

“On the organisational side, we will do our best to provide athletes with the excellent competitive conditions, and fans with a great sport spectacle.

“We also hope that the organisation of the World Championships in Zakopane will contribute to the popularisation in Poland of sport for people with intellectual impairments”.

The 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Alpine and Nordic Skiing Championships will feature athletes with an intellectual impairment (II1) as well two new trial groups: II2 – for athletes with a more significant intellectual impairment and II3 – for athletes with high-functioning autism. For more information, visit www.inas.org.

The Championships open on 27 February with the slalom and short distance races.