A delegation from the FIS is currently inspecting facilities for the 2021 FIS Freestyle and Snowboard World Championships ©FIS

International Ski Federation (FIS) secretary general Sarah Lewis is currently leading a delegation inspecting the facilities at the Zhangjiakou/Genting Resort after the Chinese city was awarded the 2021 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships.

The Genting Resort is also due to host freestyle skiing and snowboarding during the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing, even though it is located nearly 200 kilometres northwest of the Chinese capital.

The venue was chosen by the FIS at its Council meeting in Cancun in Mexico earlier this month.

Lewis has been joined in China by FIS freestyle skiing coordinator Joe Fitzgerald and FIS snowboard race director Uwe Beie.

Zhangjiakou/Genting Resort were awarded the 2021 Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships by the FIS Council in Cancun earlier this month ©Zhangjiakou/Genting Resort
Zhangjiakou/Genting Resort were awarded the 2021 Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships by the FIS Council in Cancun earlier this month ©Zhangjiakou/Genting Resort

They have organised a kick-off workshop for local organisers to discuss key areas of planning, including alignment with the preparations for Beijing 2022.

"There is a high level of commitment from all stakeholders at this kick-off workshop to maximise the many opportunities presented by the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships in 2021 and it’s a great sign that work is beginning immediately after the election of Zhangjiakou/Genting Resort as organiser," said Lewis. 

Zhangjiakou is also due to stage ski jumping, biathlon and cross-country skiing during Beijing 2022. 

The distance from Beijing itself has also raised questions, although China has approved a high speed railway to link it to the capital.