A visit to Finland last month has the 2008 Masters World Cup committee feeling confident next year's event will put McCall on the world Nordic skiing map.
The McCall committee traveled to this year's Master's World Cup in Rovaniemi, Finland, to observe the event and to hand out information about the 2008 event.
"I'm more confident now than I was before I went over that we are entirely ca¬pable of pulling off a successful event," said Gregg Lawley, the McCall event's chief of competition.
Lawley, 53, served on the five-person race jury for the Finland event and ruled on daily infractions and other problems.
"I've served in that function at other events, but it was very eye opening to serve in that capacity at this event," Lawley said.
He also competed in the event in the 50-54 age group.
"I definitely got an inside look at the whole event," he said. "Our biggest chal¬lenges are going to be getting enough volunteers out there every day for the event, and the sponsorship money to put on a top-level event."
Committee President Ed Allen was confident about McCall's racing venue at Ponderosa State Park, where the 2008 event will be held Feb. 28 through March 8.
"We feel good about our venues," Allen said. "But as we get closer, we realize that people are focused on ac¬commodations. I think we'll do fine in those areas."
"We have a huge responsibility on our shoulders," event executive director Erin Roper said. "We feel really confident about our course. Far and away our course is more streamlined than the course they had in Finland."
Impressed with event's size Both Roper and Ponderosa State Park Manager Dennis Coyle were surprised by the size of the Finland event. "That's what struck me the most, how big it is and how it is going to impact McCall in a positive way," Coyle said. "It will sure do a lot to raise the visibility of McCall."
The local organizers think they can get by with fewer volunteers than were available at Finland. McCall organizers are hoping for at least 100 volunteers to work the event next year.
"There's a lot of work to be done," Coyle said. "Finlandused 300volunteers. We know we can getby with considerably less, but we still need a lot of help."
The group noticed a great deal of enthusiasm about the event in McCall. "I just think this could be the start of McCall being a Nordic ski destination," Roper said.
Local organizers will need several translators for the event, especially in the buses used to transport competitors and visitors to the race.
"The cultural infusion is going to be a fun thing for McCall," Coyle said.
The organizers had a booth set up at the Finland event to hand out information about accommoda¬tions and transportation. Many of the people were excited about coming to McCall, Roper said.
"We heard a lot of interest from people; we handed out informa¬tion every night," she said. "There were people who did not attend this year so they could attend McCall next year."
"The Europeans seemed like they were really excited about coming to the U.S.," Lawley said.
Finn volunteers
Some of the volunteers in Finland offered to come to McCall next year to volunteer at the event, Roper said.
Organizers are seeking host families to house volunteers for the event.
"One of the biggest things that struck me about the event in Finland was that it was a community event; everybody in the community was involved," Roper said.
The local organizers are or¬ganizing a volunteer base and communicating with local busi¬nesses about next year's event.
More information is available about the 2008 Masters World Cup event in McCall at www.mwc2008.com.
