After it hosted 11 starts for the Alpine Skiing European Cup and two Alpine Ski World Cup competitions in the past, the winter resort of Borovets has again returned on world ski map. On February 15 and 16 the oldest winter ski center in Bulgaria welcomed the European ski elite at the slalom race and the giant slalom ski disciplines.

Ninety skiers from seventeen countries competed on the difficult Petar Popangelov ski run. Victor Muffat-Jeandet from France was fastest at the giant slalom competition. The 24 year-old Frenchman was in great shape on the following day as well, when he won another medal in Borovets - he placed third at the slalom discipline together with Wolfgang Hoerl from Austria. Young Norwegian Truls Johansen placed first, followed by German skier Philipp Schmid.

“This was my perfect weekend”, says Victor Muffat-Jeandet with a smile on his face. “I am leaving this place with gold and bronze medals and wonderful impressions. I hope I will come back again here. I would like to thank all who contributed to the excellent organization and to all ski fans who created the wonderful atmosphere”, said 24-year-old skier.

The skiing conditions in Borovets were perfect indeed. Despite the unusually high temperatures, the organizers of the event made sure the ski run was solid, which according to all ski experts provided better skiing conditions than the Olympic ski runs in Sochi. All athletes, officials and guests of the ski competitions in Borovets agreed that the events were held in line with the World Cup standards. Bulgarian President Rossen Plevneliev who awarded the medals to the winners also shared this view. “I am impressed of what I see here in Borovets: I will be very happy if the oldest ski resort in Bulgaria hosts again World Cup ski competitions”, said President Plevneliev who is a keen skier and tried personally the ski slopes in Borovets.

Those who love skiing are not surprised by all positive comments. Borovets has ample experience in organizing top-level ski competitions since 1977 when the first start of the Alpine Skiing European Cup was held at the resort. Borovets played host to all ski competitions thanks to best Bulgarian skier Petar Popangelov, rather than to its wonderful nature and professional organization only. During the 1970’s and the 1980’s Popangelov who was born in the nearby town of Samokov was at the zenith of his career and placed first in one of the World Cup competitions. He placed 6^th twice on Winter Olympics in Lake Placid back in 1980 and Sarajevo in 1984. The competitions of the Alpine Ski World Cup in Borovets in 1981 and 1984 were held due to his success. That is why the ski run which hosted both slalom competitions was named after him.

The sport career of the only five-time winner of the World Cup Crystal Globe Marc Girardelli is linked with Borovets as well. Girardelli has been helping for many years the Bulgarian Ski Federation and was among the official guests during the competitions held in Borovets. He competed for the Alpine European Cup in Borovets back in 1979. “I was only 15 and I knew nothing about Bulgaria at that time”, Marc Girardelli recalls. Several years later he returned to Borovets to compete with great Swedish skier Ingemar Stenmark. Both great athletes won gold medals in Borovets. “My victory at the slalom discipline during the Alpine Ski World Cup in 1984 was equal to an Olympic medal, because I was banned from participating at the Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo”, says Girardelli who was born in Austria, but competed for Luxembourg. Today Girardelli is promoting the ski sports and would be extremely happy if competitions of the Alpine Ski World Cup are held both in Bansko and Borovets winter resorts.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov