With 264 days remaining until the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2011 presented by AUDI in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER), the team at GAP 2011 is not sitting on its laurels.
The Minister President of the state of Bavaria Horst Seehofer has been appointed the first guest of honor for the 2011 event. During a festive presentation held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen this week, Mr Seehofer received a pair of wooden skis that will serve as his permanent pass to the championships next February. "I am very pleased about this invitation. I retired from skiing when my children started passing me on the piste. But I will be very happy to attend the FIS World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, especially to cheer on our Bavarian athletes. I will try to take full advantage of my permanent pass and attend most of the races," Seehofer commented.
Local business is also showing its engagement for the event. As an example, the local car dealership Autohaus Hornung will be making four of its trainees available as part of the GAP 2011 team. Altogether 1'200 volunteers will be needed for the fortnight of the championships. "The Championships are an extraordinary opportunity for Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the entire Werdenfelser land to present itself, both nationally and internationally. My staff will gain valuable experience by being right in the middle of it," said entrepreneur Gerhard Lutz who is allowing his trainees to volunteer at no cost to the OC. Other similar partnerships are being defined to enable the local organizations to become an integral part of the major event in their community.
