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FIS President Gian-Franco Kasper together with Bulgaria Ski Federation chief Tseko Minev at the Alpine Skiing World Cup in Bansko 2012

The International Ski Federation congratulates Bulgarian Prime Minister for his decision to finally launch the project for the second gondola in Bansko. In an open letter adressed to PM Boyko Borissov FIS President Gian-Franco Kasper, member of IOC and one of the most influential and respected people in world of sports, declares big plans for Bulgaria's best ski resort.

"The Bulgaria Ski Federation is a very proactive member of FIS and has been hosting the World Cup, the European Cup and many other international events since the 1970s. After the development of the ski area, Bansko has hosted since 2009 7 World Cups - 5 in skiing and 2 in snowboarding. The resort entered the elite, by having the required technical specifications and safety conditions to organize races of the highest rank. Looking ahead, the new gondola will enable Bulgaria to host more top-events, including the World Cup. Bulgaria Ski Federation filed a request to host in Bansko the World Junior Alpine Skiing Championships in 2021 and the FIS Council confirmed it",stated Gian-Franco Kasper, emphasizing that a second gondola will allow more people to connect spiritually to the beauties of the "Pirin" National Park. "FIS has a firm policy of full preservation of nature, supported by the inseparable connection between it and winter sports. Governments around the world have admitted that mountain sports and tourism are a significant element in every environmental policy", Kapser added. The letter is also signed by FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis.

Even without expanding its infrastructure in the ski area until 2021 Bansko will surely host 3 Alpine Ski World Cups. Next year for the third time the resort will be arena for the men's races. There is a good chance, that they will come in 2021 as well. The ladies will come the Pirin mountain in 2020 - exactly 5 years after their recent starts under the peak of Todorka.

Source: Bansko Tomorrow newspaper