Oberhofen (SUI), 23rd March 2010 - Exceptional FIS Ski Flying World Championships in Planica (SLO) were held from 19th to 21st March 2010, the 21st edition of the biennial event that has been staged since 1972.
Representing the culmination of a packed 2010 Olympic winter season, Planica 2010 saw more than 80’000 visitors visit the world’s largest jumping hill over the course of four days. Simon Ammann of Switzerland crowned his spectacular season with the first Ski Flying title for a Swiss in 33 years as well as the longest jump of the weekend, following his two Olympic gold medals and victory in the overall FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. Meanwhile the Austrian team dominated the team event by a record margin of 99.1 points. More than 450 accredited journalists and photographers were on site from 20 countries and millions of TV viewers in Germany, Poland, Austria, Russia, Norway, Czech Republic, Finland and Slovenia as well as a Pan-European audience on Eurosport were watching the Championships.
“Ski Flying is the dream of every ski jumper and jumping enthusiast. Planica 2010 delivered another testimony to the fascination of Ski Flying as we saw the world’s best ski jumpers deliver an exciting fight for the title of FIS Ski Flying World Champion. The three days of exhilarating competition on the re-vamped Letalnica Ski Flying hill provided a truly exceptional Championship experience,” commented FIS President Gian Franco Kasper.
Stanislav Valant, President of the Ski Association of Slovenia added: “The Ski Association of Slovenia and the Organizing Committee of Planica 2010 are proud to have organized one of the most beautiful FIS Ski Flying World Championships ever. With the contribution of all the athletes, visitors, sponsors and our staff, we made the Championships into an unforgettable event. We are pleased that we have again proven that we are worth the trust and support of FIS. It is with great expectation that we look forward to the future development of Planica and Ski Flying, together with all our supporters and friends.”
“There is probably no other organizer that can prepare a hill of this size and keep it in such an excellent condition at this time of the year than Planica. Thanks to the long term infrastructure development plan, the 2010 Championships already enjoyed the benefits of several improvements such as a new lift, athlete hospitality, enhanced inrun preparation and a modified hill profile,” summarized FIS Race Director Walter Hofer. “From a sports perspective we can be pleased with these Championships, especially given that we managed without injuries despite the challenging wind conditions and a long season. We would of course have wished that all the interested fans had a chance to attend the main competition days, but also appreciate the capacity limits of the stadium.”
Slovenian Television (RTVS) was responsible for the TV production of the Championships and delivered coverage at the highest professional level. The broadcasting rights holder European Broadcasting Union (EBU) distributed the pictures to fans around the globe, using its Broadband Internet Platform, at www.eurvisionsports.tv to enhance the traditional TV coverage. "More than 60’000 streams were delivered on this new platform over the week-end with a total viewing time of more than 8’700 hours. This is excellent given the short notice and the limited promotion and gives an indication of the global appeal of this fantastic sport," stated Ingolfur Hannesson, Head of Winter & Indoor Sports at the EBU/Eurovision.
Representing the culmination of a packed 2010 Olympic winter season, Planica 2010 saw more than 80’000 visitors visit the world’s largest jumping hill over the course of four days. Simon Ammann of Switzerland crowned his spectacular season with the first Ski Flying title for a Swiss in 33 years as well as the longest jump of the weekend, following his two Olympic gold medals and victory in the overall FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. Meanwhile the Austrian team dominated the team event by a record margin of 99.1 points. More than 450 accredited journalists and photographers were on site from 20 countries and millions of TV viewers in Germany, Poland, Austria, Russia, Norway, Czech Republic, Finland and Slovenia as well as a Pan-European audience on Eurosport were watching the Championships.
“Ski Flying is the dream of every ski jumper and jumping enthusiast. Planica 2010 delivered another testimony to the fascination of Ski Flying as we saw the world’s best ski jumpers deliver an exciting fight for the title of FIS Ski Flying World Champion. The three days of exhilarating competition on the re-vamped Letalnica Ski Flying hill provided a truly exceptional Championship experience,” commented FIS President Gian Franco Kasper.
Stanislav Valant, President of the Ski Association of Slovenia added: “The Ski Association of Slovenia and the Organizing Committee of Planica 2010 are proud to have organized one of the most beautiful FIS Ski Flying World Championships ever. With the contribution of all the athletes, visitors, sponsors and our staff, we made the Championships into an unforgettable event. We are pleased that we have again proven that we are worth the trust and support of FIS. It is with great expectation that we look forward to the future development of Planica and Ski Flying, together with all our supporters and friends.”
“There is probably no other organizer that can prepare a hill of this size and keep it in such an excellent condition at this time of the year than Planica. Thanks to the long term infrastructure development plan, the 2010 Championships already enjoyed the benefits of several improvements such as a new lift, athlete hospitality, enhanced inrun preparation and a modified hill profile,” summarized FIS Race Director Walter Hofer. “From a sports perspective we can be pleased with these Championships, especially given that we managed without injuries despite the challenging wind conditions and a long season. We would of course have wished that all the interested fans had a chance to attend the main competition days, but also appreciate the capacity limits of the stadium.”
Slovenian Television (RTVS) was responsible for the TV production of the Championships and delivered coverage at the highest professional level. The broadcasting rights holder European Broadcasting Union (EBU) distributed the pictures to fans around the globe, using its Broadband Internet Platform, at www.eurvisionsports.tv to enhance the traditional TV coverage. "More than 60’000 streams were delivered on this new platform over the week-end with a total viewing time of more than 8’700 hours. This is excellent given the short notice and the limited promotion and gives an indication of the global appeal of this fantastic sport," stated Ingolfur Hannesson, Head of Winter & Indoor Sports at the EBU/Eurovision.
