WU CTI-CSU in Erzurum – Day 2

The fantastic brand new Konakli, alpine skiing centre

First CTI plenary meeting

This morning, Roger Roth, Chair of the International Technical Committee (CTI) for Winter Sports opened the first CTI “plenary meeting”. M. Roth, welcomed all the participants and especially, Muhtar Kurt, President of the Technical Committee within the Organizing Committee, and Universiade Coordinator, Mr. Bekir Korkmaz.

Roger introduced all the FISU Technical Chairs and the members of the FISU staff. He underlined the importance of such meeting and inspection day. Today’s main goals were: contact with sport people involved, venues construction and preparation, staff training process, draft for sport schedule, program for the test events.

M. Muhtar Kurt also introduced all his sport staff and made a very detailed report about the construction of all the sports venues.

Milan Augustin, FISU Director for the Winter Universiade made a report concerning new regulations dispositions. Indeed, there were important changes inside of technical part of the FISU regulations.

It was mentioned that the OC is working according to these new dsipositions. 

During the whole afternoon, the FISU delegates had the opportunity to visit almost all the sports venues. They first went to the brand new Konakli, alpine skiing resort. They could see the progress of this fantastic construction having in mind that in May 2009 there was nothing over there. Then, they visited the Kandilli cross country and biathlon centre (37 km from Erzurum). With superb surrounding, this centre is under construction and will be finished in July 2010.

Ice skating rinks were next. The Ice hockey arena at Cemal Gürsel sport campus was first. This arena is composed of two rinks. Both will be used for the tournament. This construction will be finished during fall 2010. A third temporary ice rink will be constructed just near and will serve as training venue.

The curling venue was next. Located in the city of Erzurum itself it will be completed in August 2010. The whole tournament will be played in this newly built venue which is made especially for curling. Finally, the FISU delegates went to visit the ice rink were figure skating, synchronized skating and short track competitions will be held. This multi function arena opened in 2009 has a seat capacity of 2000 spectators. Beside this very functional, a training ice rink is also under construction.

Finally, the FISU delegates went to the ski jumping venue. The jumping hills are under construction and are located in front of the athletes’ village in the middle of Erzurum. The completion will be in August 2010.

CSU and CTI delegates are really confident about the construction progress. The Organizing Committee is planning to hold test events on each facility; and for some of them, already during next winter.

Roger Roth, Chair of the FISU CTI for winter sports, introducing Muhtar Kurt, President of the Technical Committee within the Erzurum Organizing Committee

Peter Krogol, FIS Technical delegate inspecting the Konakli venue

Ondrej Rybar, CT Chair for Biathlon, inspecting the shooting range

Jeanette Johnston, CT Chair for Curling (middle) with the OC Curling team