The Finnish Ski Federation has submitted an official application to the International Ski Federation (FIS) to host the 2029 Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti. The application deadline expired on May 1, and no other countries submitted applications. 

The application promises to present FIS with a World Ski Championships concept that ensures the Lahti event will be organized in a socially, economically, and environmentally responsible manner.

Once the application documents are delivered to the candidates by FIS, the applicants have until August 1 to respond to the issues related to the organization of the World Championships. The FIS board will decide on the host of the 2029 Nordic World Ski Championships at the FIS Congress in May 2024.

Also Read: Lahti Candidate For The 2029 Nordic World Ski Championships

An application committee has been established for Lahti’s 2029 Worlds application, chaired by Markku Haapasalmi, the chairman of the Finnish Ski Federation, and vice-chaired by Pekka Timonen, the mayor of Lahti. The committee members include Arto Tolonen, chairman of the Federal Council of the Finnish Ski Federation; Juha Rostedt, chairman of the Lahti city council; Juha Kolu, chairman of the Lahti Ski Association; Martti Lipponen, vice-chairman, and Niina Pautola-Mol, provincial director of Päijät-Häme.

Markku Haapasalmi expressed his satisfaction with the situation, as no other countries have submitted applications, demonstrating the strength of their candidacy. Lahti has hosted the World Championships in Nordic skiing seven times, most recently in 2017. 

“Hosting the 2029 World Championships will be a significant event, both financially and sportingly, with great national importance. Home competitions are always an encouraging goal for Finnish athletes,” as stated by Haapasalmi.

Read more on the FIS press release.